Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s democratic direction following the arrest of social media activist Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
In a statement released on Sunday via his social media pages, Obi criticized the method of the arrest, describing it as excessive and reminiscent of an abduction, warning that such practices could erode public trust in law enforcement and governance.
“The recent developments in our nation continue to raise serious concerns about the direction we are headed as a democracy,” Obi stated.
“The tension in the land, aggravated by hardship, is being needlessly fueled by our attitude to the rule of law and human rights.”
He said while security agencies may have the legal right to carry out arrests, the manner in which Otse was apprehended was disturbing.
“The display of force, lacking in transparency and civility, closely resembled an abduction,” Obi said.
“If Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions, we will lose a vital layer of national security and accountability.”
Obi referenced past incidents involving the judiciary, noting that even judges, the guardians of justice, have been subjected to similar “indignities,” which only further undermine citizens’ faith in the legal system.
He also raised concerns about the reputational fallout for institutions allegedly linked to the incident, particularly GTBank, which faced online backlash in the wake of Otse’s arrest.
“At a time when investor confidence is already fragile, we must do all we can to avoid actions that tarnish institutions or undermine the trust of both citizens and the international community,” he said.
Obi questioned why a more civil approach wasn’t used: “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 reports about the alleged “adoption” of the NANS President, calling it a worrying sign of attempts to suppress youth voices in the country.
“Nigeria’s youth should not feel coerced, silenced, or absorbed into political agendas that do not reflect their will,” he stated.
“The oppression of young voices, whether through force, patronage, or intimidation, is a dangerous path that we must not normalize.”
Obi concluded by calling for a return to justice and institutional integrity, saying, “We must return to a Nigeria where justice is done and is seen to be done without theatrics or abuse.
“A country where youth can speak freely, judges can serve with dignity, and institutions act responsibly. That is the Nigeria we must rebuild.”
He ended the statement with his signature hope-filled message: “A new Nigeria is POssible!”