Obi condemns suppression of young voices, decries arrest of NAN President, VeryDarkMan

By Tom Okpe

Former Governor of Anambra State and Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general election, Dr Peter Gregory Obi has said oppression of young voices, whether through force, patronage, or intimidation is a dangerous path that must normalize.

He also condemned the arrest of National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, President, Atiku Isa and Vincent Otse, also known as Very Dark Man, VDM, saying it raises crticàl questions about the independence of students leadership and subtle erosion of young voices.

Writing on his Twitter hàndle on Thursday, Obi said: “The Recent developments in our nation continue to raise serous concems about the direction we are headed as a democracy. The tension the land aggravated by hardship, needlessly fueled by our attitude to the rule of law and human rights.

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“The arrest of Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, VOM, though perhaps within the legat rights of security agencies, was carried out in a manner that left many Nigerians unsettled.

“Similarly troubling are allegations surrounding the so-called adoption of the NANS President If true, raises cntical questions about the independence of student leadership and the subtle erosion of young voices in our democracy. Nigeria‘s youth should not feel coerced, silenced, or absorbed into political agendas that do not reflect their will. The oppression of young voices, whether through force, patronage, or intimidation, is a dangerous path that we must not normalize.

“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 cnminal elements. If Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions, we will lose a vital layer of National security and accountability.

“This trend is not new. We must recall that even our esteemed judges, the last line of ‘defence for justice,’ have suffered similar indignities in recent years. When those that interpret the law are treated with such disregard, it is difficult to expect that ordinary citizens will feel protected under the law.

“Moreover, these methods are beginning to affect our economy and business environments. The backlash directed at GTBank, allegedly linked to the circumstances surrounding Otse’s arrest, has had serious reputational consequences.”

The two term Anambra Governor further stressed that; “At a time when investor’s confidence is already fragile, we must do all we can to avoid actions that tarnish institutions or undermine the trust of both citizens and the international community.

“One cannot help but ask, was it impossible to invite 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?

“We must retum to a Nigeria where justice is done and seen to be done, without theatrical, or abuse. A country where youth can speak freely, judges can serve with dignity, and institutions act responsibly, that is the Nigena we must rebuild,” he added.