In a recent revelation on the Echoo Room podcast, Nigerian rapper Ruggedman, whose real name is Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, shared the reasons behind his decision to stop endorsing the controversial figure known as VeryDarkMan.
Ruggedman explained that he ceased his support for VeryDarkMan due to the latter’s intrusive behavior into individuals’ personal lives, which he believes has derailed from the principles of logical activism.
Reflecting on his initial appreciation for VeryDarkMan’s advocacy on issues such as the absence of NAFDAC registration numbers on products, Ruggedman expressed his disappointment in the activist’s shift towards personal attacks, particularly targeting women.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining a professional and respectful approach even in the face of criticism, citing the need for civil discourse rather than resorting to insults and personal attacks.
Ruggedman highlighted an incident involving actress Iyabo Ojo and her daughter as a turning point in his perception of VeryDarkMan’s methods, pointing out that the activist’s remarks crossed a line by intruding into their private lives.
He referenced a contentious statement made by VeryDarkMan regarding retired actresses seeking attention, which ignited a public backlash and further underscored the controversial nature of his approach.
Ruggedman concluded that by provoking reactions through unwarranted personal criticisms, VeryDarkMan was undermining the credibility of his activism and losing sight of the original noble intentions behind his advocacy.