Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has strongly criticized the recent arrest of social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) and the alleged abduction of a NANS president, warning that such actions undermine Nigeria’s democracy and rule of law.
In a statement released Sunday, the Labour Party leader described VDM’s arrest as resembling “an abduction” rather than a proper law enforcement procedure. “When citizens struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions, we lose a vital layer of national security and accountability,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra governor drew parallels to past incidents where judges were similarly treated, noting: “If those who interpret the law face such disregard, how can ordinary citizens feel protected?” He questioned why authorities couldn’t have invited VDM through proper channels to avoid the “unnecessary shame and losses” now affecting institutions like GTBank, which has faced backlash over the incident.
Obi also expressed concern about the alleged abduction of a NANS president, calling it an attack on youth representation. “Nigeria’s youth should not feel coerced or silenced. The oppression of young voices through force or intimidation is a dangerous path we must reject,” he said.
The statement comes amid growing scrutiny of security agencies’ methods, with critics accusing them of increasingly adopting unconventional tactics against perceived critics. Obi urged a return to transparent processes where “justice is done and seen to be done without theatrics or abuse.”
ADBN TV reports that VDM remains in custody while the circumstances surrounding the NANS president’s alleged abduction remain unclear. Human rights groups have called for investigations into both incidents.
