The arrest and ongoing detention of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been denounced by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who sees it as another indication of the administration’s increasing authoritarianism under President Bola Tinubu.
The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed VeryDarkMan’s detention, saying the activist was arrested after receiving petitions from multiple people alleging cyberstalking.
Atiku charged that the government was using security forces as weapons to stifle dissent and threaten administration critics in a sharply worded statement that was uploaded on X (previously Twitter) on Monday.
He added, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) arrest and ongoing detention of Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), a social media influencer and vocal critic, is just another obvious abuse of power by the Tinubu administration.”
The absence of official charges against Otse, according to the former PDP presidential candidate, is “a flagrant violation of his constitutional rights and a chilling reminder of the growing authoritarianism under this government.”
Atiku said the incident fits a pattern of “relentless assault on the fundamental freedoms of Nigerians, particularly those who dare to speak truth to power or align with the political opposition.”
He further accused the Tinubu-led government of applying double standards in its handling of corruption allegations, noting that while opposition figures and critics are hounded, loyalists with serious allegations continue to enjoy immunity.
“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.
He warned against normalising what he described as “state-sponsored repression,” adding, “We must not allow state-sponsored repression to become the defining character of our democracy.”
Describing the administration’s actions as disgraceful, Atiku concluded, “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.”
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