The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the alleged harassment and intimidation of his supporters across the country, demanding transparency over the arrest of Rilwan Olawale and calling for his release.
Obi made the call in a statement issued on Monday, October 26, 2026, in which he described the continued intimidation of his supporters as disturbing and unacceptable.
He also called for respect for Olawale’s rights and an end to what he described as politically motivated harassment.
Obi accused President Bola Tinubu of encouraging and facilitating violence, arguing that the President, as a beneficiary of Nigeria’s democracy, should not undermine the democratic process.
He stated that his campaign remained peaceful and focused on offering Nigerians a credible alternative built on competence, accountability, justice, and compassion.
“We have chosen the path of peace, not violence; persuasion, not intimidation,” he said.
He, however, cautioned against interpreting his commitment to peaceful engagement as weakness or fear, emphasising that he would not be intimidated into silence or abandon Nigerians who believe in the possibility of a New Nigeria.
Obi maintained that no government or political party had the right to deny Nigerians the freedom to support a candidate of their choice.
He reaffirmed his commitment to peaceful engagement while pledging to stand firmly and lawfully against any attempt to undermine the democratic rights of Nigerians.
