Peter Obi has demanded the immediate release of Rilwan Olawale, a political mobiliser for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), following his reported arrest at his residence in Lagos.
Olawale was taken from his home at about 1 a.m. on Sunday, October 25, by armed men who identified themselves as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), according to a statement by Funso Doherty, the NDC governorship candidate in Lagos State. His whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
Obi made the demand in a statement posted on his social media accounts on Monday, condemning what he described as the harassment and intimidation of his supporters across the country.
“The continued intimidation and harassment of my supporters across the country, the latest being the case of Rilwan Olawale, is disturbing and unacceptable,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor accused President Bola Tinubu of undermining democratic principles and alleged that his administration was encouraging violence against political opponents.
“President Bola Tinubu has remained a huge beneficiary of our democracy and should not brazenly be destroying it by encouraging and facilitating violence,” Obi wrote.
Obi maintained that his campaign was peaceful and focused on offering Nigerians an alternative based on competence, accountability, justice and compassion.
He said his supporters would not abandon their political activities because of intimidation, adding that their commitment to peaceful engagement should not be mistaken for weakness.
“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.
Obi demanded transparency over Olawale’s arrest, respect for his rights and an end to what he described as politically motivated harassment.
“No government or political party has the right to deny Nigerians the freedom to support a candidate of their choice,” he said.
Olawale is an NDC supporter associated with the Obidient movement and has been involved in mobilising support for Obi, the party’s presidential candidate.
Olawale’s arrest comes as he mobilises support for Obi and the NDC. The DSS has not publicly commented on the incident or stated the reason for his reported detention.
Doherty said he was in contact with Olawale’s family and legal counsel as efforts continued to establish the facts and gain access to him. He also urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation.
Obi reiterated that his movement would pursue its political objectives peacefully and use lawful means to defend the democratic rights of its supporters.
Ademide Adebayo
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