Atiku Abubakar, the former vice-president, has weighed in on the arrest of social media activist VeryDarkMan.
The controversy started on Friday when VDM was reportedly detained after accompanying his mother to a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) branch in Abuja to address “unauthorised withdrawals from her account”.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju later revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested VDM following a petition filed by a magistrate in Abuja.
In a post via X, Abubakar condemned VDM’s arrest while describing it as a “blatant abuse of power” by the President Bola Tinubu government.
The former vice president expressed his disappointment with the “continued detention” of the activist “without formal charges,” calling it a “violation of his constitutional rights and a sign of growing authoritarianism” in the country.
Abubakar also claimed the arrest reflects a pattern of political repression and attacks on free speech under the current government.
“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,” the post reads.
“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.”
The former Adamawa governor also criticised the “Tinubu administration” for ignoring “corrupt political loyalists” while “focusing on critics”.
He urged Nigerians to “fiercely fight” against attempts to silence critics and opposing views.
“We must not allow state-sponsored repression to become the defining character of our democracy,” he added.
“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.”
Since VDM’s arrest, several notable Nigerians have taken to social media to campaign for his freedom.
On Sunday, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi condemned VDM’s arrest, calling it a “disregard for the rule of law and human rights”.
Singer Davido also called for his release, while youths staged a protest in Abuja, converging at the GTB branch and EFCC headquarters with placards calling for the activist’s freedom.
The EFCC has not issued an official statement regarding the reason for VeryDarkMan’s detention.