The Peeps Dem' Ain't Happy: PDP Slams Fed Gov'ment Silence on VDM Arrest, Fueling Youth Protests
Protests Ignited in Abuja Following VDM's Detention - Spurred by PDP
Hear this loud and clear, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown some serious shade at the Federal Government, calling 'em out for staying mum on the cuffing of activist, Martin Vincent Otse, aka VeryDarkMan (VDM). According to ‘em, the government's deafening silence has ignited one heck of a youth-led hoopla in Abuja.
Speaking to Vanguard in the nation's capital, the PDP's Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, spilled the beans. He said most of the protesters had a limited grasp of why VDM got nabbed until just before they hit the streets.
"If the government had spilled the beans on why he was body-slammed, I bet ya we wouldn't have seen these riots," Osadolor said bluntly.
He threw some serious heat at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Police Force for playing shy for more than two days before giving any info. He maintained that a swift official response could've nipped the chaos in the bud.
Osadolor described the protests as the release of long-held frustrations. He added that the Nigerian youth feel like they're being ignored by a government that doesn't give a hoot about their concerns.
"The feds seem to be choosing to stick their heads in the sand instead of addressing the real issues," he remarked. He also hinted that the government's sudden urgent statements about VDM's arrest indicate their awareness of the simmering discontent amongst the people.
Though Osadolor didn’t列出具体要求，他警告说，过去的懈怠和不适当的选择—如接受运费—有助于创造当前的政治情况。
"Everyone needs to get wise; farming, for instance, doesn't call for a PhD," he stressed emphatically, emphasizing the importance of stepping up voter education ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Osadolor also pointed out that despite the youth's demographic strength, many continue to vote for the same political bigwigs due to economic hardship.
"If 50% or 60% of the population is a chunk, it's crucial to note that the votes these older politicians rely on still live in millions among the youths.
"This shows that young people are voting for them, often for economic reasons. The youth needs to understand that hard work should be their priority, rather than solely chasing public sector jobs," he added.
Though acknowledging the serious allegations against VDM, such as cyberstalking and money laundering, Osadolor took a swipe at what he described as inconsistent legal standards in similar high-profile cases.
He voiced concerns about the continuous detention of numerous Nigerians without trial, which he called a flagrant violation of constitutional rights.
"This government has become so numb that they seem out of touch with reality," he said, alluding to the government's insensitivity to public sentiment.
Reflecting on the conduct of security forces during the protests, Osadolor criticized the presence and posture of soldiers, which he said evoked memories of the #EndSARS movement.
"Witnessing soldiers squaring off with civilians in the 21st century makes me cringe," he stated, concluding by urging citizens to channel their frustrations wisely and exercise their democratic power effectively during the 2027 elections.
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*For What It's Worth:- VDM was apprehended by a joint team from the EFCC, DSS, and Police at a bank in Wuse, Abuja.[4]- The EFCC claims they followed due process in his arrest.[1]- The PDP believes the government's silence on the situation has ignited youth-led protests in Abuja and has called for better communication strategies from the government to address rising public discontent.
- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Federal Government of inactivity, following the silence on the arrest of activist Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
- The PDP's Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, stated that the lack of information about VDM's arrest ignited youth-led protests in Abuja.
- Osadolor criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigerian Police Force for remaining silent on the arrest for more than two days.
- Osadolor described the riots as the release of long-held frustrations and doubts the government's intentions to address real issues.
- He argued that the government's sudden urgency in making statements about VDM's arrest indicates their awareness of the growing public discontent.
- Osadolor warned about the past apathy and poor decision-making contributing to the current political situation in Nigeria.
- He emphasized the need for improved voter education ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
- Commenting on the youth's voting habits, Osadolor pointed out that millions of youth still vote for older political figures, primarily due to economic hardship.
- Despite acknowledging VDM's serious allegations, such as cyberstalking and money laundering, Osadolor expressed concerns about inconsistent legal standards in similar high-profile cases.
- Osadolor identified the continuous detention of numerous Nigerians without trial as a flagrant violation of constitutional rights and criticized the conduct of security forces during the protests, comparing it unfavorably to the #EndSARS movement.
