Verydarkman (VDM)
Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has called out Plateau State cleric Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo over what he describes as a dramatic change in stance toward President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In an Instagram reel posted on his account @verydarkblackman, VDM asked how the reverend moved from sharp criticism of Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to publicly praying for the success of the current administration.
“How did reverend EZIKIEL DACHOMO move from criticizing bola Ahmed tinubu to campaigning for bola Ahmed tinubu? How he moved from vice president shittima and tinubu wanting to Islamize Nigeria to praying for Bola Ahmed tinubu administration? AT THE END VDM IS RIGHT,” the caption of the reel stated.
VDM recalled that Dachomo had previously accused the Tinubu-Shettima ticket of harbouring plans to “Islamise Nigeria,” spoken out strongly against insecurity and k!llings in Plateau State, blamed the federal government for failing to protect citizens, and even called for international intervention, including from the United States.
The activist suggested that politicians often use religion as a tool to influence public opinion and implied that the government may have reached out to the cleric. “Religion is a tool in the hands of the politician,” VDM said in the video, arguing that such messaging can encourage people to wait for divine help instead of holding leaders accountable.
The comments come after Rev. Dachomo, Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, travelled to Israel in early October 2026 on what he described as his first international Christian advocacy tour. During the visit, he posted videos and messages in which he prayed for Nigeria, its leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and other African nations.
In one video, Dachomo specifically prayed for “my government, Bola Tinubu,” Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and asked that any “evil seed” or influence of Satan planted against the leadership be uprooted, citing Matthew 15:13.
The prayers sparked online debate, with some interpreting them as an endorsement of Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
Dachomo later issued a clarification, denying that he prayed for Tinubu and Shettima to win in 2027 or for the continuation of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. “People are trying to frame me, saying I prayed for a Muslim-Muslim ticket. But I did not, and I will never pray for a Muslim-Muslim ticket because Nigeria belongs to both Muslims and Christians,” he stated.
“I pray for both Muslims and Christians in Nigeria. I pray for Nigeria to succeed… I did not pray for President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima to win in 2027. My prayers have always been for Nigeria to succeed,” the cleric added.
Dachomo has built a national profile as an outspoken advocate against what he describes as a “Christian genocide” in parts of the Middle Belt. He has conducted numerous mass burials for victims of attacks in Plateau State, claimed to have lost relatives in such violence, and faced death threats, which he has publicly attributed to his activism.
VDM’s video has reignited discussion about the intersection of religion, politics, and public accountability in Nigeria, particularly as the country moves closer to the next general election cycle.
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