Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has raised alarm over the growing disregard for democratic principles in Nigeria, citing recent events as signs of a troubling trend. In a statement posted on Facebook, Obi criticized the manner of the recent arrest of social media activist Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), and the alleged abduction of a factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Obi acknowledged that while security agencies may have acted within the law, their approach lacked transparency and civility.
“The arrest of Martin Vincent Otse… was carried out in a manner that left many Nigerians unsettled,” he said. “The display of force, lacking in transparency and civility, closely resembled an abduction—a disturbing method that not only creates fear but also risks being mimicked by criminal elements.”
He warned that the blurring of lines between lawful arrests and abductions threatens public trust in law enforcement and undermines national security.
Obi also expressed concern about the treatment of the judiciary in recent years, noting that even judges—whom he called the “last line of defence for justice”—have faced intimidation. This, he argued, erodes confidence in the legal system.
On the economic front, Obi pointed to the backlash against GTBank, reportedly linked to Otse’s arrest, as a cautionary example of how heavy-handed actions can damage institutional reputations and deter investor confidence.
Turning to the case of the NANS leader’s alleged abduction, Obi described it as equally disturbing.
“If true, it raises critical questions about the independence of student leadership and the subtle erosion of young voices in our democracy,” he said.
He cautioned against normalizing the suppression of youth through force, intimidation, or political patronage.
Concluding his remarks, Obi called for a return to a just and accountable Nigeria:
“We must return to a Nigeria where justice is done and is seen to be done without theatrics or abuse. A country where youth can speak freely, judges can serve with dignity, and institutions act responsibly. That is the Nigeria we must rebuild. A new Nigeria is possible.”
