Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has openly condemned the recent arrest and continued detention of Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), labeling it as a serious and disturbing abuse of governmental power.
VDM, a widely recognized social media commentator and activist, was arrested after the EFCC claimed it received multiple petitions accusing him of cyberstalking and other alleged digital offenses. The agency has since confirmed his detention, sparking heated public debate and widespread criticism.
In the wake of his arrest, hundreds of concerned youths took to the streets of Abuja, staging protests and demanding his immediate and unconditional release. Demonstrators have voiced outrage over what they believe is a targeted campaign to silence critics of the current government.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday, Atiku Abubakar expressed grave concern over the situation. He directly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of weaponizing federal institutions to clamp down on dissenting voices and political adversaries.
“The arrest and continued detention of social media influencer and outspoken critic, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is yet another blatant abuse of power by the Tinubu administration, which has made political repression a hallmark of its rule,” Atiku stated in his post.
He emphasized that the fact that VDM remains behind bars without any formal charges being filed against him is a clear breach of constitutional rights, and he warned of the dangerous implications of such actions for Nigeria’s democratic future.
“Even more alarming is the fact that Mr. Otse remains in custody without any formal charges. This is a flagrant violation of his constitutional rights and a chilling reminder of the growing authoritarianism under this government,” Atiku added.
According to the former Vice President, the arrest is not an isolated incident, but rather a continuation of a larger pattern of government-led suppression against individuals who express opposing views or criticize the administration publicly.
“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,” he said.
Atiku further urged Nigerians to resist any attempt to normalize such repression, stating, “We must not allow state-sponsored repression to become the defining character of our democracy.”
He concluded by highlighting the selective nature of the administration’s justice system, pointing out that while critics and activists are swiftly targeted and detained, many political allies with known corruption cases continue to enjoy protection and impunity.
“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 d
eclared.