- Safiu Kehinde
Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has labelled the arrest of Nigerian social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse (VeryDarkMan) as another abuse of power under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
NPO Reported that VeryDarkMan was on Friday apprehended by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.
He was nabbed at a branch of Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank) in Garki Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where he accompanied his mother to.
His arrest had, however, sparked protest across the country on Monday in agitation for his release.
Atiku, in reaction to the activist’s arrest, took to his X handle where he condemned the activist’s detention without any formal charge.
He claimed that the unlawful detention of VDM, which he described as flagrant violation of constitutional rights, is a chilling reminder of the growing authoritarianism and assault on fundamental freedom of Nigerians under Tinubu’s administration.
“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.
“Even more alarming is the fact that Mr. Otse remains in custody without any formal charges is a flagrant violation of his constitutional rights and a chilling reminder of the 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.
The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Presidential candidate warned against denting the country’s democratic image with state-sponsored repression.
He held that the government’s systematic crackdown on opposition voices is nothing short of disgraceful and affront to democratic norms which must be resisted.
“We must not allow state-sponsored repression to become the defining character of our democracy.
“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.
“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 added.