Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized the arrest and detention of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, labeling it as evidence of growing authoritarianism under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The EFCC confirmed the arrest through its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, stating that VeryDarkMan was detained following multiple petitions alleging cyberstalking. However, Atiku, in a scathing statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, accused the government of using security agencies to silence dissent.
“The arrest and continued detention of social media influencer and outspoken critic, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is yet another blatant abuse of power by the Tinubu administration,” Atiku wrote.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party further condemned the lack of formal charges against Otse, calling it “a flagrant violation of his constitutional rights and a chilling reminder of the growing authoritarianism under this government.”
Atiku argued that VeryDarkMan’s arrest fits a broader pattern of suppressing opposition voices. “This incident is part of a relentless assault on the fundamental freedoms of Nigerians, particularly those who dare to speak truth to power or align with the political opposition,” he stated.
He accused the Tinubu administration of double standards in fighting corruption, noting that while critics face swift arrests, government allies with corruption allegations remain untouched. “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,” Atiku said.
Atiku warned Nigerians against normalizing what he termed “state-sponsored repression,” emphasizing that such actions threaten democracy. “We must not allow state-sponsored repression to become the defining character of our democracy,” he declared.
He concluded his statement with a sharp rebuke of the administration: “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.”
The EFCC has maintained that VeryDarkMan’s arrest was based on legitimate petitions regarding cyberstalking. Oyewale stated that the activist would be released once bail conditions were met and that the case would proceed to court. However, critics, including Atiku, argue that the move is politically motivated.
The controversy surrounding VeryDarkMan’s detention has reignited debates about freedom of speech, government overreach, and the weaponization of law enforcement agencies against critics. As tensions rise, opposition figures and civil society groups are calling for greater accountability in how security agencies handle cases involving public commentators.
