Peter Obi Condemns Arrest of VeryDarkMan, Warns Against Suppression of Youth Voices
Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, has condemned the arrest of activist Martin Vincent Otse (VeryDarkMan), calling it a troubling signal for civil liberties in Nigeria. He also warned against the rising pattern of silencing youth voices following the alleged abduction of a NANS leader.
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the arrest of popular social media activist, Martin Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), calling the incident both unsettling and a threat to civil liberties in Nigeria.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju disclosed that VDM was arrested by police officers at a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) branch in Abuja. According to reports, the activist had accompanied his mother to resolve unauthorised withdrawals from her account when he was suddenly apprehended.
Obi questioned the approach taken by law enforcement, asking:
“Was it impossible to invite Mr. Otse in a civil, transparent, and legal manner? Would that not have spared Nigerians, GTBank, and our national image the unnecessary shame and losses we now witness?”
He also reacted to the recent alleged abduction of Atiku Isah, the factional president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who had accused Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, of interference in student leadership affairs. Isah claimed he was tortured and coerced into resigning by close allies of the President’s son.
Obi warned that such incidents are symptomatic of a dangerous trend:
“Nigeria’s youth should not feel coerced, silenced, or absorbed into political agendas that do not reflect their will. The oppression of young voices, whether through force, patronage, or intimidation, is a dangerous path that we must not normalise.”
He emphasised the importance of respecting civil rights, due process, and the rule of law, while cautioning against the erosion of public trust in law enforcement agencies.
You can also READ EFCC Arrests VeryDarkMan at GTBank: Shocking Details Revealed by Legal Counsel
“The display of force, lacking in transparency and civility, closely resembled an abduction,” Obi stated. “This disturbing method not only creates fear but also risks being mimicked by criminal elements. If Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions, we will lose a vital layer of national security and accountability.”
What's Your Reaction?
