Obi Demands Release Of Campaigner, Decries Harassment Of Supporters

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has condemned the alleged harassment of his supporters and demanded the immediate release of campaigner Rilwan Olawale.

In a statement on Monday, the former Anambra State governor described the continued intimidation of his supporters across the country as “disturbing and unacceptable,” citing Olawale’s arrest as the latest example.

“Civility is not weakness. Enough of the harassment of my supporters. Release Rilwan Olawale now,” Obi said.

He accused President Bola Tinubu of undermining democratic principles by encouraging and facilitating violence.

“President Bola Tinubu has remained a huge beneficiary of our democracy and should not brazenly be destroying it by encouraging and facilitating violence,” he said.

Obi warned against attempts to intimidate Nigerians for backing candidates of their choice, insisting that no government or political party has the right to deny citizens that freedom.

He demanded transparency over Olawale’s arrest, respect for his rights, and an end to what he called politically motivated harassment.

The NDC candidate maintained that his campaign remains peaceful and focused on offering Nigerians an alternative built on competence, accountability, justice and compassion.

“We have chosen the path of peace, not violence; persuasion, not intimidation. However, nobody should mistake our civility for weakness, our restraint for fear, or our commitment to peace for an absence of resolve,” he said.

He added that his supporters would not be intimidated into silence or abandon their support for what he described as a possible New Nigeria.

Obi reiterated his commitment to peaceful political engagement, while pledging to resist attempts to undermine democratic rights through lawful means.

“We will remain peaceful but resolute. We will not resort to violence, but we will stand firmly and lawfully against every attempt to undermine our democratic rights,” he said.