Atiku Accuses Tinubu Administration of Political Repression Following Arrest of VeryDarkMan
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized the Tinubu administration over the arrest and continued detention of social critic Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), accusing President Bola Tinubu of making political repression a central theme of his government.
Atiku’s comments, made on Monday, followed the arrest of VeryDarkMan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday over an undisclosed offense. The EFCC later revealed that VDM would be charged to court after multiple petitions were filed against him. The arrest occurred shortly after VeryDarkMan had planned to visit a GTBank branch in Abuja to raise concerns over an alleged unauthorized deduction from his mother’s account.
Atiku called the arrest an abuse of power and a direct attack on democratic principles. In a post on X, he expressed his concerns over the lack of formal charges against VDM, highlighting how this situation reflects a disturbing trend under Tinubu’s administration: the crackdown on opposition voices and suppression of free speech.
Atiku wrote:
“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.”
He further added that the continued detention of VDM without formal charges is a violation of constitutional rights and is indicative of the growing authoritarianism under Tinubu’s leadership. Atiku also pointed to the double standards in the administration, with critics of the government being targeted, while political loyalists allegedly enjoy immunity despite facing serious corruption allegations.
💬 Opinion: A Deepening Concern for Democracy in Nigeria
Atiku’s statement touches on a critical issue in Nigerian democracy — the balance between security and freedom of expression. While the government has the right to uphold law and order, it should never come at the expense of basic human rights, especially when it comes to freedom of speech.
The arrest of VeryDarkMan, coupled with the growing climate of fear surrounding those who dare criticize the government, raises serious questions about the direction Nigeria is heading. If individuals like VDM, who are simply voicing their concerns or challenging the status quo, are being silenced, what does that mean for political dissent in the country?
This is a turning point for Nigeria’s democracy, and it is crucial for citizens, civil society groups, and international organizations to stand up for free speech and democratic norms. Atiku’s condemnation is not just a call for the immediate release of VDM, but for all Nigerians to resist any attempt to undermine democratic freedoms.
🇳🇬 The battle for democracy and human rights in Nigeria is far from over. It's up to all of us to keep speaking out.
Do you think the Nigerian government’s actions will impact public trust in democratic processes?
