Opposition Brought Verydarkman to Ogbogwu Market – Chairman
By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
The Chairman of the Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State,popularly known as Ogbogwu Market,Mr. Chukwulota Ndubuisi, has firmly stated that the trending video of Verydarkman (VDM) circulating on social media, which references ongoing payments at Ogbogwu Market, was orchestrated by opposition elements within the market.
He dismissed claims that the market leadership invited Verydarkman to criticize the activities of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), asserting that it was the market opposition that arranged his visit to stir unnecessary tension.
While addressing journalists in Onitsha, Mr. Ndubuisi, fondly known as Chilota,expressed deep displeasure upon seeing the video, which was brought to his attention by concerned individuals.
The Chairman, who was accompanied by members of his executive team, noted that the moment he saw the video, he immediately recognized it as the work of opposition members.
He stated that they were fortunate he and his team were absent from the market on the day of the incident.
“It was clear that those who sponsored the appearance of Verydarkman (VDM) were members of the opposition within the market. On that particular Saturday, all my executives and I attended the funeral of a member’s mother. The opposition took advantage of our absence to bring VDM into the market and cause a stir. If we had been present, they wouldn’t have dared—otherwise, we would have dealt with them,” the Chairman said.
“We had no prior knowledge of his visit. I don’t even know who Verydarkman is. I had never seen or heard of him before this incident. Even in the video, VDM himself admitted that he had never been to Anambra State, confirming that he was invited by our opposition. We recognized some individuals standing behind him while he made the video,” he added.
Mr. Ndubuisi went on to clarify that the ongoing payments at Ogbogwu Market are related to goods storage penalties and are mandatory for every trader occupying a shop—unless the individual has personal issues with NAFDAC. He noted that over 90% of traders have already complied and had their shops reopened.
He also emphasized that similar payment requirements apply to medicine dealers in Lagos, Aba, and other parts of Onitsha.
“So, once a trader pays the penalty, their shop is reopened. More than 90% have paid, and their shops are now open. Those who have yet to pay—a small minority—are actively working to clear their dues. You can visit and verify for yourselves that the market has largely resumed normal operations,” the Chairman stated.
Other traders, including Mr. Hycienth Okoye, a.k.a. Blessed Hyman, who spoke to reporters, confirmed that the payments to NAFDAC are indeed penalties for goods storage and are compulsory for all traders.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, she debunked the speculation surrounding the charges imposed during recent enforcement operations in open drug markets across the country.
She clarified that all penalties levied against defaulters in Onitsha, Aba, and Idumota drug markets are in accordance with Federal Government-approved regulations.
