Nigeria needs more than passion right now—we need honest reflection. Somewhere along the line, critical thinking started losing ground to blind loyalty. And that should worry all of us.

A growing concern in today’s digital space is the culture forming around VDM. What began as activism, courage and outspoken commentary is, to many observers, starting to look like something else: a space where disagreement is treated as betrayal, and questioning is met with coordinated attacks, bringing down people’s pages online rather than thoughtful dialogue, and many are looking away, no one wants to talk about it, and fear of being attacked.

This isn’t how healthy influence works.

Across social platforms, there’s a visible pattern—followers mobilising not to debate ideas, or to brainstorm for healthy minds or society, but to silence opposing voices. Analysis is discouraged. Nuance is unwelcome. You’re expected to either agree or face backlash. That kind of environment doesn’t promote progress; it enforces conformity.

And that raises an uncomfortable question: when does influence cross the line into control?

It’s easy to celebrate VDM and ratels’ visible actions—like public clean-ups or viral advocacy moments. But real change goes deeper than optics. A society can have clean streets and still struggle with polluted thinking. If young people are being shaped to echo one voice, to conform to what one man says instead of developing our youth mental health, boldness and courage, then something is off.

Nigeria doesn’t need more followers. It needs thinkers, boldness, and courage, people who will look the problem in the face and call it what it is. .

There’s also the issue of consistency. When VDM was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerians from different walks of life, even IM Beady Nnanna, spoke up. Protests happened. Even critics demanded fairness. It was a moment that showed the country could unite around justice.

But when similar situations affect others, coming from one man, VDM, who claims to be fighting injustice, the same oppressor his fighting polices is what VDM is displaying; the response hasn’t always matched. Instead of solidarity, there have been moments of silence—or worse, mockery that VDM is doing, taking pride in remanding one why it aganist then of the land. That inconsistency matters. Justice can’t be selective. It either applies to everyone, or it loses its meaning.

Then there’s accountability. Public accusations from the same VDM—especially against celebrities, public figures, and government institutions—carry weight. They shape opinions and reputations. But influence without responsibility is dangerous. When serious claims are made without reflection or consequences, it creates more noise than clarity.

Another concern is VDM shrinking other voices; he wants his voice to be the only loud voice. Figures like Iyabo Ojo, Harrisson, Edu Wazobia, among others, have found themselves overshadowed or drowned out in the process for socital building. But no single individual can “fix” Nigeria alone; fixing Nigeria is a collective work. Leadership isn’t about dominance—it’s about building room for many voices, many ideas, and many solutions.

So we have to ask: is this still activism, or is it becoming something closer to a power play?

Nigeria doesn’t need more noise. We need clarity. We need people who can question the status quo—even when it’s uncomfortable. We need individuals who are willing to stand alone, challenge narratives, and call out wrong wherever they see it.

And most importantly, we need to normalise disagreement. It should be possible to support someone on one issue and challenge them on another. That’s not betrayal—that’s maturity.

Because if you can’t question the people you follow, then you’re not really following a leader; you are under the leadership of an oppressor.

You’re submitting to one.

Think about that.                 Beady Nnanna