Atiku Demands Release of VDM, Describes Arrest as Disgraceful

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has denounced with strong words the arrest of activist and social commentator, VeryDarkMan (VDM), as a “disgraceful attack on freedom of expression.

“In a statement on Monday, Atiku complained about what he termed a growing trend of intolerance of dissent and critical voices by the current regime. He emphasized that the arrest of VDM—whose real name is Martins Otse—illuminates an ominous trend towards authoritarianism and erosion of democratic values in Nigeria.

The VeryDarkMan arrest is not only a personal insult to him; it is an insult to all Nigerians who believe in freedom of speech, transparency, and accountability. It is reckless and should be condemned by everyone who cares for democracy,” Atiku said.

He called for the unconditional and immediate release of VDM, noting that citizens should never be criminalized for speaking truth to power or holding views inconvenient to the powers that be.

“It is undemocratic for the government to employ security agencies as tools of intimidation against critics and voices of the youth. This arrest should not be allowed to stand,” Atiku warned.