Abuja, Nigeria — Nigerian digital content creator and philanthropist Michelle Mukoro, widely known online as King Mitchy, has issued a public apology after weeks of controversy on social media involving several prominent public figures in Nigeria.
Mukoro shared the apology in a video posted on her Instagram page on Thursday, March 12, 2026. In the video, she addressed Seyi Tinubu, the son of Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Nigerian social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan; and Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the traditional ruler of Ile-Ife in Osun State, south-western Nigeria, who is widely known as the Ooni of Ife.
The apology followed strong criticism over her behaviour during a livestream in which she appeared to consume a substance while viewers watched.
“Good morning Nigerians. I’m ready to be held accountable for my actions. For some days I’ve thought about my behaviour and I know that I was wrong and I want to be held accountable.
“For the substance I took on live video, that was very wrong of me because there are young girls that are looking up to be me one day and I know I disappointed a lot of people.
“That was wrong of me, I was wrong,” she said.
Mukoro also apologised directly to Seyi Tinubu, explaining that although she had earlier apologised privately, she believed a public apology was necessary because the situation occurred publicly.
“And my boss ST (Seyi Tinubu), I’m so sorry. I know I apologised privately but I did not disrespect you privately, I disrespected you publicly so I want to apologise publicly. I’m so sorry sir.
“I want you to know that I will never take your support for granted.”
She also addressed the Ooni of Ife while kneeling in the video.
“I’m so sorry, sir. I’m so sorry for bringing your name into this, I’m so sorry daddy,” she said.
Turning to Martins Vincent Otse, known online as VeryDarkMan, Mukoro described him as her “brother” and said she had reflected on his activism.
“You’re fighting for Nigerians and we can make Nigeria a better place and I’m sorry for coming at you like that.
“Maybe now I understand you better because I had to step back and understand the kind of person that you are and I see that you’re fighting for a good cause for Nigeria to be better.
“And you need more supporters, not people to fight you. I’m sorry my brother. Thank you, Nigerians.”
Okay News reports that the dispute began in late February 2026 after Mukoro announced online that she had renovated a dilapidated school building within six days. She suggested that meaningful development could happen quickly when people genuinely wanted change.
Her comments were widely interpreted on social media as indirect criticism of VeryDarkMan, who has gained a large following in Nigeria for using digital platforms to campaign for transparency and accountability.
In response, the activist accused Mukoro of being used as a political tool to improve the public image of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The controversy intensified when Mukoro posted what she described as a private online conversation with Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, claiming that “even this king” had reached out to her. The post sparked widespread criticism, with many social media users accusing her of disrespecting the monarch by making the exchange public.
The dispute deepened further when VeryDarkMan alleged that Seyi Tinubu had financed Mukoro’s philanthropic activities.
Mukoro later said the sustained online harassment during the controversy led to the loss of her business Instagram account.
The situation escalated during a livestream session in which Mukoro appeared visibly distressed and consumed a substance believed by viewers to be bleach while people watching the broadcast expressed alarm and urged her to stop.
Shortly after the incident, a statement posted on her Instagram page by her management team claimed she had died at Prime Care Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. The message said medical personnel were unable to revive her and asked for privacy for her family.
However, the announcement was later withdrawn. In a subsequent post, her management said she was alive and recovering.
“Michelle is okay now,” the post stated.
Before the correction was issued, Prime Care Hospital also released a statement denying the claim.
“The management of Prime Care Hospitals wishes to inform the public that the announcement of the alleged death of Miss Mukoro Mitchelle, popularly known as King Mitchy, at our facility in Abuja is FALSE. King Mitchy was never a patient in our hospital and did not pass away here.
“We are working with authorities to investigate the source of this misinformation and will take all necessary legal actions against those responsible. Please verify information through our official channels before sharing,” the hospital said.
Earlier in the dispute, Seyi Tinubu also responded to allegations linking him to the conflict between Mukoro and VeryDarkMan.
In a statement posted on Instagram on Saturday, he rejected the claims and explained that his interaction with Mukoro was limited to philanthropic support.
“I met Mitchy once, in a public setting, alongside others. On that occasion, I provided financial support toward her NGO activities, just as I have supported 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,” he wrote.
He also denied having any private dealings with the influencer.
“There has never been a private encounter, no secret arrangement, and no impropriety of any kind,” he said.
Tinubu further accused VeryDarkMan of using a dispute he was not involved in to damage his reputation.
“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. 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 transform them into truth.”
The developments highlight how rapidly disputes between influencers, activists, and political figures can escalate in Nigeria’s social media environment and how misinformation can spread widely during high profile online conflicts.
