Abuja, Nigeria — Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned what he described as the continued intimidation and harassment of his supporters across Nigeria.
Mr. Obi demanded the immediate release of Rilwan Olawale and called for respect for citizens’ democratic rights.
In a strongly worded statement, Obi described the alleged harassment as “disturbing and unacceptable”.
He insists that his commitment to peaceful political engagement should not be mistaken for weakness or fear.
“The continued intimidation and harassment of my supporters across the country, the latest being the case of Rilwan Olawale, is disturbing and unacceptable,” Obi said.
He also criticised President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of undermining the democratic principles from which he has benefited.
Democratic Freedoms at Stake
Obi argued that political leaders should protect democratic freedoms rather than encourage or facilitate violence.
The former Anambra State governor maintained that his political campaign remained peaceful.
He stressed that he is focused on presenting Nigerians with an alternative based on competence, accountability, justice and compassion.
According to him, his movement has deliberately chosen persuasion over intimidation and peace over violence.
However, Obi warned that his restraint should not be interpreted as an absence of determination to defend his supporters and their constitutional rights.
“Nobody should mistake our civility for weakness, our restraint for fear, or our commitment to peace for an absence of resolve,” he declared.
Obi demands release of Rilwan Olawale
A central demand in Obi’s statement was transparency regarding Olawale’s arrest, alongside his release and respect for his rights.
Obi called on the relevant authorities to explain the circumstances surrounding the arrest and put an end to what he characterised as politically motivated harassment.
He maintained that no government or political party had the right to prevent Nigerians from supporting a presidential candidate of their choice.
The statement did not provide further details about the circumstances of Olawale’s arrest, the agency responsible for it or the specific allegations against him.
Those details would be necessary to independently establish the circumstances of the case.
‘We will not be intimidated into silence’
Obi insisted that he and his supporters would remain peaceful while resisting any attempt to undermine their democratic freedoms through lawful means.
He said the movement would neither resort to violence nor abandon Nigerians who believed in the possibility of building a better country.
“We will not be intimidated into silence, nor will we abandon Nigerians who believe in a New Nigeria that is possible and will be OK,” he said.
The former presidential candidate reiterated that his supporters would continue to pursue political change through peaceful participation and lawful resistance to any infringement of their rights.
His statement concluded with a renewed declaration of the movement’s optimism about Nigeria’s future: “A New Nigeria is POssible and will be OK.”
The allegations raised by Obi place renewed emphasis on the protection of political participation and freedom of expression.
However, the circumstances surrounding Olawale’s arrest and the claims of politically motivated harassment require further clarification from the relevant authorities.
