Peter Obi condemns arrest of VeryDarkMan, warns against threat to civil freedoms
The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly criticised the arrest of social media personality Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), describing the manner of his apprehension as deeply troubling and akin to abduction.
In a statement released on Sunday, Obi expressed concern over the implications of the arrest, noting that such methods blur the line between lawful arrests and criminal abductions, which could threaten public trust in law enforcement. “If Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions, we will lose a vital layer of national security and accountability,” he warned.
Obi drew parallels between VDM’s case and past incidents involving even judicial officials. “This trend is not new. We must recall that even our esteemed judges… have suffered similar indignities in recent years,” he said, warning that such actions undermine confidence in the justice system.
Highlighting the economic fallout, Obi referenced backlash against Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), which was allegedly linked to Otse’s arrest. He noted that the incident has caused reputational damage to the bank and could further erode investor confidence in Nigeria’s already fragile business environment. “At a time when investor confidence is already fragile, we must do all we can to avoid actions that tarnish institutions,” he said.
The former governor also voiced alarm over the alleged abduction of a National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President, calling it a threat to youth leadership and democratic engagement. He stressed that the silencing or manipulation of young voices was a dangerous pattern that must be resisted.
Obi concluded by advocating for a return to a nation governed by justice and rule of law. “We must return to a Nigeria where justice is done and is seen to be done without theatrics or abuse,” he stated.
