The former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar has thrown his weight behind a social media activist and influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VDM who was allegedly abducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission —EFCC—- on Friday at a banking hall in Abuja.

The security operatives is yet to speak out on the reason for his arrest despite planned protest by some of his fans and some personalities speaking out in VDM’s favor.

According to report, VDM had gone to GTB banking hall, where it was alleged that the bank has given a loan to another person who impersonated VDM mother’s National Identifications Number —NIN— but was abducted on his way out.

Atiku described the situation as “alarming” pointing out that the activist right is being trampled upon.

The former V.P. posted on X on Monday criticizing the misuse of power by the Tinubu’s administration 

He wrote: “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.” Atiku condemned

By: Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth