In a world where public opinion forms and spreads within minutes, controversies aren’t shaped solely by the people involved. They’re driven by a web of hashtags, sentiments, influencers, and platforms working together to influence what people believe, share, and ultimately do. The recent clash between VeryDarkMan and GTBank is a perfect case study, not just of personalities at war, but of how influence is built and shared in the digital age.
What began as a confrontation between a popular online activist and a major financial institution quickly spiraled into a national talking point. But beneath the noise, something deeper was happening. Certain voices gained traction, while others faded. Some messages spread like wildfire, while others barely made a ripple. So, who really held the power in this storm?
Let’s begin with what many saw trending: #FreeVDM. On the surface, it appeared to be a campaign to support VeryDarkMan, who many felt had been unfairly treated. But it was more than just a hashtag, it became the beating heart of the conversation. It connected people across various platforms, drawing attention, building momentum, and giving others a reason to engage. Based on our analysis, this single phrase had the strongest presence in the digital space. It was mentioned often, shared quickly, and served as a common ground for both supporters and commentators.
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Meanwhile, another message, #EndGTBank, didn’t carry the same weight. Although it was central to the issue at hand, it struggled to rally people. It lacked the emotional pull or clarity that could make it go viral. Even though people were angry, frustrated, or curious, this particular call to action didn’t stick. It was mentioned, but rarely became the focal point of discussions. This suggests that while people sympathized with VeryDarkMan, they weren’t necessarily ready to boycott or go after GTBank, at least not in a sustained or meaningful way.
Exhibit 1: Stress centrality in the VeryDarkMan vs GTBank controversy network, showing #Freevdm and positive as most stressed non-human actors by human actors
Beyond hashtags, sentiment played a major role. We examined the emotional tone of the conversations and found that positive messages, those calling for calm, fairness, or understanding — had far more reach than the negative ones. People leaned more toward balanced or hopeful tones than harsh attacks. It seems audiences were more interested in fair engagement than blind rage.
Interestingly, those who tried to stay neutral had the least influence. Messages that didn’t take a clear stand or felt too cautious didn’t attract much attention. In moments like these, the online crowd often seeks clarity. Sitting on the fence rarely moves the needle.
Now, let’s talk about the people, the everyday influencers, commentators, and content creators who made this issue visible. While VeryDarkMan was the face of the conflict, he wasn’t the loudest voice in the room. In fact, many others, from lifestyle influencers to gossip accounts, had far more reach in keeping the conversation alive. People like Teeniiola, GossipMillNaija, General Somto, and Chie Bolam weren’t just observers. They played key roles in how people interpreted the issue and which direction the public sentiment tilted.
This brings us to an important insight: the power to shape narratives doesn’t always rest with the people involved in the event. Sometimes, it’s those who pick up the story, interpret it, and share it in compelling ways that truly drive influence. In this case, the likes of VeryDarkMan and GTBank were more like symbols, while others became the real storytellers.
What does this mean for brands, activists, and public figures? It means that influence today is no longer about titles, fame, or resources. It’s about being part of the flow — knowing which messages resonate, which words travel, and who is best placed to amplify them. Whether you’re defending your name, pushing a cause, or launching a product, the real game is being able to tap into the right conversations at the right time.
In the digital age, hashtags are not just words; they are movements. Sentiment is not just emotion; it’s strategy. And influence is not about shouting the loudest, but about being the most connected.