By Obinna Ejianya (9News Nigeria)
Niger Delta activist and self-acclaimed King of the Ijaw nation, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, has distanced himself from a viral video showing a man who closely resembles him complaining about hardship in Nigeria and warning President Bola Tinubu to step down.
The viral clip featured a well-built man dancing and speaking emotionally about the worsening economic situation in the country while lamenting the rising cost of petrol and essential commodities. In the footage, the man warned the President, saying:
“Tinubu, you no go fit fight oo, so surrender.”
The video quickly circulated across social media platforms, triggering widespread reactions, especially because Dokubo has been widely known as a strong supporter of Tinubu’s candidacy ahead of the 2023 presidential election and has largely maintained that support afterwards. However, he had previously criticised the President at a point for allegedly failing to recognise his contributions to the campaign.
As the clip gained traction on 9News Nigeria’s Facebook platform, many followers initially assumed it was Dokubo himself and flooded the comment section with reactions—mostly expressing disbelief that someone with his appearance could be complaining of hunger.
Some commenters mocked the claim in humorous tones. A user, Hrm Oba Olatunji Adebayo, wrote, “Hungry ke with this belle? Oga when we see who dey hungry we know.” Another commenter, Matthew Okunade Agboola, similarly remarked, “You don’t look hungry oga… nevertheless, take rice.”
Others suggested the video contradicted his earlier political position. Anthony Chibuike Amadi wrote, “No be you say Tinubu won the election against all odds?” while Alonge Olaiya added, “Theatre man, Tinubu na your man.”
Several users also treated the video as comic content rather than a serious political message. Kingsley Ekejekwu described the figure simply as a “content creator,” while Nelson Martins joked that the man was seeking “his own city boys money.”
However, in a counter-video released afterwards, Dokubo clarified that the man in the viral footage was not him but his brother and look-alike.
Reacting to the claims, the Niger Delta activist said those insisting he appeared in the clip were people who disliked him.
According to him, the individual in the footage is his “brother from Bayelsa State.”
“I’m not the one in the video. He is my brother, Theophilus. He is from Bayelsa State and I’m from Rivers State. He is from Nembe, while I’m from Kalabari,” he said.
“But we are brothers. Very good brothers. Don’t mistake me for him.”
Dokubo also reiterated that President Tinubu remains his friend and should be allowed to complete his tenure in office.
After examining both videos side-by-side, 9News Nigeria confirmed that the man featured in the viral clip is a different individual, although he shares a strong physical resemblance and similar body build with Dokubo.
Further supporting Dokubo’s clarification, a close relative familiar with both men also confirmed to 9News Nigeria that the individual seen in the viral video is not Asari Dokubo.
