‘I won’t be bullied’ – Seyi Tinubu addresses VDM’s claim of secretly funding King Mitchy’s charity work

Seyi, the son of President Bola Tinubu, has refuted claims by controversial activist VeryDarkMan that he is the secret financier behind the philanthropic activities of influencer King Mitchy.

The allegation surfaced from an intense online war between Mitchy and VDM. Their feud, which had been simmering for weeks, revolved around accusations concerning their respective charitable endeavours.

The conflict intensified after Mitchy showcased her recent project — renovating a school in just six days. She also questioned VDM’s transparency in handling public donations he has received since the start of 2025.

The situation took a dramatic turn when VDM alleged that Seyi was the hidden hand funding Mitchy’s goodwill projects.

The claim ignited a firestorm of debate across social media platforms.

VDM further escalated matters by claiming that Seyi had threatened his life, stating that the president’s son should be held accountable should any harm come to him.

Responding via a series of posts on his Instagram story, Seyi dismissed the allegations as “false, deliberate and defamatory”.

He confirmed that he had met Mitchy, but described the encounter as entirely innocent and public.

According to Seyi, he provided financial support for her NGO’s activities during that meeting, a gesture he said is consistent with his long-standing practice of backing young Nigerians.

He noted that a follow-up meeting was scheduled to review the impact of her NGO’s work, but it never took place because he was unwell.

“Over the past few days, my name has been deliberately drawn into an online dispute between VeryDarkMan (VDM) and King_Mitchy (“Mitchy”). Let me be clear, the allegations and insinuations made about me are false. I met Mitchy once, in a public setting, alongside others,” he wrote.

“On that occasion, I provided financial support for her NGO activities, as I have for many young Nigerians and organisations working to empower our people. A follow-up meeting had been scheduled for me to receive an update on the impact of her NGO’s work following the donation.

“That meeting did not take place because I have been unwell. There has never been a private encounter, no secret arrangement, and no impropriety of any kind.”

Seyi expressed concern that he was being dragged into a dispute he had no part in, suggesting that VDM was using the feud as a convenient opportunity to target him.

He also denied the allegation that he had threatened VDM’s life, labelling the claim as reckless. He positioned himself as an opponent of online bullying, drawing on his own experiences.

“What is deeply concerning is that a feud I did not start, and in which I have played no part, has been used as a vehicle to insert my name into a narrative without basis in truth For reasons best known to him, VDM appears to have been looking for a trigger, an opportunity to attack and attempt to harm my reputation and seized upon this situation to do so,” he added.

“I will not accept that. If my name generates attention, let us at least deal in facts. Supporting charitable causes is not a crime. Meeting someone publicly to support their NGO is not a scandal. Repeating falsehoods loudly does not make them true. I will not be bullied, and I will not dignify fiction with panic.

“I have experienced bullying before, and I understand the harm it can cause. That is why I take a firm stance against it. Philanthropy and outreach must never be politicised or weaponised. For over a decade, through my foundation and personal giving, I have supported initiatives in education, enterprise, health, youth empowerment and many others.

“That work is transparent, documented, and rooted in service. To those seeking to manufacture controversy: Nigeria needs builders, not bullies. We need responsible discourse, not sensationalism driven by speculation. I firmly reject the accusations made against me. I call for de-escalation, for restraint, and for a return to truth and responsibility. Noise will fade. Character and work endure.” (The Cable)