Atiku Abubakar Condemns Arrest of Influencer VeryDarkMan, Calls Detention Blatant Abuse of Power

Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized the arrest and continued detention of social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Atiku described the action as a “blatant abuse of power” by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“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 wrote.

He further expressed concern over the fact that Otse remains in custody without formal charges, calling it “a flagrant violation of his constitutional rights” and “a chilling reminder of the growing authoritarianism under this government.”

Atiku said the arrest was part of a “disturbing pattern” of the Tinubu regime’s “relentless assault on the fundamental freedoms of Nigerians,” particularly those aligned with the opposition or critical of the government.

“We must not allow state-sponsored repression to become the defining character of our democracy,” he added, noting that while critics are targeted with little regard for due process, political loyalists with credible corruption allegations remain untouched.

Describing the situation as “disgraceful,” Atiku urged Nigerians and democratic institutions to resist what he called an “affront to democratic norms.”

The EFCC has not yet released an official statement on the reason for Otse’s arrest or the status of the investigation.