By Stella Odueme
Peter Obi Demands Release of Rilwan Olawale, Condemns Harassment of Supporters
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called for the immediate release of Rilwan Olawale, while condemning what he described as the continued intimidation and harassment of his supporters across the country.
Obi, in a statement on his X handle on Monday, described the alleged harassment as disturbing and unacceptable, warning against actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s democratic values.
He criticised President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of encouraging and facilitating violence despite benefiting from the country’s democratic system.
According to Obi, his campaign remains peaceful and issue-driven, with a focus on providing Nigerians with a credible alternative built on competence, accountability, justice and compassion.
He stressed that his commitment to peaceful engagement should not be mistaken for weakness or fear, insisting that he and his supporters would not be intimidated into silence.
“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 said he would not abandon Nigerians who believed in the possibility of building a new country, adding that the circumstances surrounding Olawale’s arrest required transparency.
He demanded Olawale’s release, respect for his fundamental rights and an end to what he described as politically motivated harassment.
The former presidential candidate maintained that every Nigerian had the right to support a candidate of their choice, stressing that neither the government nor any political party should interfere with that freedom.
He further reaffirmed his commitment to peaceful engagement and lawful resistance against any attempt to undermine democratic rights.
“A New Nigeria is possible, and it will be OK,” Obi said.