Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned 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), describing it as a blatant abuse of power and a disturbing sign of growing authoritarianism under the Tinubu administration.
Abubakar criticized the government for holding Otse without filing formal charges, calling it a “flagrant violation” of his constitutional rights. He warned that such actions reflect a broader pattern of political repression and an assault on civil liberties in Nigeria.
“This latest episode is part of a disturbing pattern,” Abubakar said, “where critics of the government and opposition voices are targeted, while political loyalists facing serious allegations walk free.”
The former vice president urged Nigerians not to accept state-sponsored repression as the norm in a democratic society, and called on security agencies to respect due process and the rule of law.
Abubakar’s remarks add to mounting pressure on the EFCC and the presidency as public concern grows over what many see as shrinking space for dissent and accountability in Nigeria.
