Atiku Abubakar Jumps On Bandwagon, Blames Tinubu For Arrest Of VDM

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized the arrest and detention of social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement released on Monday, Atiku attributed the incident to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, alleging it was part of a broader effort to silence critics and opposition voices.

Atiku expressed concern over VDM’s continued detention without formal charges, describing it as a blatant abuse of power and a violation of constitutional rights.

He noted that this incident is part of a pattern of political repression under the Tinubu administration, targeting individuals who speak truth to power or align with the opposition.

The statement read, “The arrest and continued detention of VeryDarkMan is yet another blatant abuse of power by the Tinubu administration… a flagrant violation of his constitutional rights and a chilling reminder of the growing authoritarianism under this government.”

Atiku urged Nigerians to reject what he described as the government’s attempt to suppress critics, emphasizing that state-sponsored repression should not define the country’s democracy.

He criticized the selective application of justice, where dissenters are targeted while political loyalists with corruption allegations are spared.

The former Vice President called for fierce condemnation and resistance against the Tinubu administration’s systematic crackdown on opposition voices, describing it as an affront to democratic norms.

Below is the full statement released by Atiku

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.

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.

We must not allow state-sponsored repression to become the defining character of our democracy.

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.