Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has spoken out against the arrest of social media figure Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On Monday, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, revealed that Otse was arrested based on several petitions accusing him of cyberstalking.
However, many citizens have questioned the timing and motive behind the arrest, especially given Otse’s bold criticism of public officials and growing popularity among young Nigerians.
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku joined the criticism, describing it as a continued abuse of power by President Bola Tinubu’s administration
He noted, “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 further noted that keeping Otse in custody without formal charges is not only unconstitutional but also reflects a dangerous shift toward authoritarian 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,” he stated.
The former Vice President also expressed concern that the administration appears more interested in targeting critics and opposition figures than addressing allegations of corruption among its loyalists. He noted that supporters of the current government often go unpunished, while those who criticize it are swiftly arrested or silenced.
“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 stated.
