Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the arrest and detention of social critic Martins Otse aka very black VDM.
On Monday, May 5, Atiku said in an article shared on his X Handle that the EFCC arrest was “another blatant abuse of power by the Tinob government that made political repression a hallmark of its dominance.”
Opposition leaders also lamented: “Security agencies are rapidly targeting dissidents and critics, often completely ignoring due process, but political loyalists have credible corruption and trade without reservations to immunize trade.”
Read his statement below
“Adjust and continue to detain social media influencers and outspoken critics, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, widely known by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) (EFCC), is another blatant abuse of political government by the Tinubu government, which makes political oppression a hallmark of its dominance.
Even more shocking is that Mr Otse is still in custody without any formal charges, a blatant violation of his constitutional rights and a shocking reminder of the growing authoritarianism under the government.
The latest episode is part of an unsettling pattern: the fundamental freedoms of the Tinubu regime against Nigerians, especially those who dare to tell the truth or be consistent with the political opposition.
We cannot let state-sponsored repression become a decisive feature of our democracy.
Although security agencies quickly target dissidents and critics, they often completely ignore due process, political loyalists with reliable allegations of corrupt walking to immunity transactions.
The Tinubu government’s systematic suppression of opposition voices is shameful. This is an offense to democratic norms and must be severely condemned and resisted. – aa”
