Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, on Sunday strongly condemned the arrest of social media influencer Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), describing the manner of the arrest as resembling an abduction. In a statement, Obi expressed alarm over the unsettling method, which he warned could be mimicked by criminal elements and risks blurring the line between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions.
“This disturbing method not only creates fear but also risks undermining national security and accountability,” Obi said, noting that such tactics could erode public trust in legal processes. He referenced past incidents, including similar indignities faced by judges, stating, “When those who interpret the law are treated with such disregard, it is difficult to expect that ordinary citizens will feel protected.”
Obi highlighted the economic repercussions, pointing to backlash against GTBank, allegedly linked to VDM’s arrest, which has damaged the institution’s reputation. “At a time when investor confidence is fragile, we must avoid actions that tarnish institutions or undermine trust,” he said, questioning why authorities could not have invited Otse in a civil and transparent manner to avoid reputational harm to Nigeria and its institutions.
The former Anambra governor also raised concerns about the alleged abduction of a National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) president, warning that such actions threaten the independence of student leadership and silence young voices in democracy. “The oppression of young voices through force, patronage, or intimidation is a dangerous path we must not normalize,” he cautioned.
Obi called for a return to a Nigeria where justice is administered transparently, youth can speak freely, judges serve with dignity, and institutions act responsibly. “That is the Nigeria we must rebuild,” he concluded.
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