Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly condemned the arrest and continued detention of popular social media influencer and government critic, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a pointed statement shared on his official social media account, Atiku described the arrest as “yet another blatant abuse of power” by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He asserted that Mr. Otse’s detention without formal charges is a “flagrant violation of his constitutional rights,” and warned that the trend signals a “growing authoritarianism under this government.”
“This latest episode is part of a disturbing pattern: the Tinubu regime’s relentless assault on the fundamental freedoms of Nigerians, particularly those who dare to speak truth to power or align with the political opposition,” Atiku wrote.
Atiku further decried what he sees as a double standard in law enforcement, noting that while critics of the administration are swiftly targeted, loyalists with credible corruption allegations continue to enjoy freedom and protection.
“While security agencies are quick to target dissenters and critics, often in complete disregard of due process, political loyalists with credible allegations of corruption walk free, trading sycophancy for immunity,” he stated.
He warned that allowing such “state-sponsored repression” to persist would undermine Nigeria’s democracy and embolden further abuse of power.
“The Tinubu administration’s systematic crackdown on opposition voices is nothing short of disgraceful. It is an affront to democratic norms and must be fiercely condemned and resisted,” Atiku concluded.
The EFCC has yet to provide an official statement on the specific grounds for Otse’s arrest, sparking widespread concern among civil society groups and free speech advocates.
The controversy continues to unfold as Nigerians await clarity on the charges and the fate of one of the country’s most vocal online personalities.
Written By Queen Diana Story
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