By Ayo Ayodele
Former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the recent arrest of social media activist Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), calling the manner of his detention deeply unsettling and reflective of broader issues threatening Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement on Sunday, Obi warned that the current trajectory of the nation—marked by economic hardship and an increasing disregard for the rule of law—was eroding public trust and endangering democratic values.
While acknowledging that security agencies may have acted within legal bounds, Obi criticized the manner of VDM’s arrest, describing it as lacking transparency, civility, and respect for due process. “The use of force and secrecy closely resembled an abduction,” he stated. “This method not only spreads fear among citizens but could also be mimicked by criminal elements, blurring the line between lawful enforcement and unlawful actions.”
Obi drew attention to a troubling pattern, recalling previous instances where even members of the judiciary were subjected to similar treatment. “When judges—the interpreters of our laws—are not respected, how can ordinary Nigerians feel secure or protected under the same system?” he asked.
The former governor also highlighted the economic implications of such practices. He noted the public backlash faced by GTBank, allegedly linked to Otse’s arrest, and warned of potential damage to the bank’s reputation. “In a time of already fragile investor confidence, we must avoid actions that could further tarnish the image of our institutions,” Obi cautioned.
Raising further alarm, Obi pointed to reports of the alleged abduction of the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which he said undermines the independence of student leadership and silences youth voices. “Nigeria’s young people must never be coerced or intimidated into political submission. We cannot normalize the oppression of dissent.”
Calling for a return to constitutional order, Obi stressed the need for a Nigeria where justice is visible and credible, where the youth can express themselves freely, and institutions act with responsibility and fairness. “That is the Nigeria we must rebuild,” he concluded, reaffirming his long-standing campaign slogan: “A New Nigeria is POssible!”
The arrest of VeryDarkMan has sparked widespread debate online and offline, with many Nigerians demanding transparency and accountability in the handling of the case.