Peter Obi Condemns Arrest of VeryDarkMan, Raises Alarm Over Disturbing Breakdown of Rule of Law

Former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Peter Obi, has voiced strong criticism over the recent arrest of social media influencer Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), describing the manner of the arrest as “disturbing” and damaging to Nigeria’s democratic and legal institutions.

In a statement released via his official channels, Obi expressed concern that the use of excessive force and lack of transparency during the arrest closely resembled an abduction, raising fears among Nigerians about the blurring lines between lawful enforcement and criminal behavior.

“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 warned that such tactics, if left unchecked, could have damaging consequences beyond public safety, including harming the economy. He cited the backlash faced by GTBank, which was reportedly linked to the circumstances surrounding Otse’s arrest, as an example of the potential reputational and financial fallout for Nigerian institutions.

Questioning the necessity of such a public and forceful arrest, Obi asked, “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?”

The former Anambra State governor also raised alarm over allegations of the coercion of the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), saying such incidents indicate a troubling trend of silencing youth voices and manipulating student leadership for political purposes.

“Nigeria’s youth should not feel coerced, silenced, or absorbed into political agendas that do not reflect their will,” Obi warned. “The oppression of young voices, whether through force, patronage, or intimidation, is a dangerous path that we must not normalize.”

Obi concluded his remarks with a call for the restoration of democratic values, justice, and institutional integrity. “We must return to a Nigeria where justice is done and is seen to be done without theatrics or abuse… A new Nigeria is POssible,” he said.

The statement has sparked wide engagement on social media, reflecting growing concern among citizens about governance, civil liberties, and the state of democratic institutions in the country.