Peter Obi Demands Immediate Release Of Supporter Rilwan Olawale, Accuses Tinubu Govt Of Harassment

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, has warned the President Bola Tinubu government against what he described as the continued harassment and intimidation of his supporters across Nigeria, demanding the immediate release of his supporter, Rilwan Olawale.

Obi issued the warning in a statement released on Monday, titled, “Civility Is Not Weakness. Enough Of The Harassment Of My Supporters. Release Rilwan Olawale Now.”

The former Anambra State governor described the alleged treatment of his supporters as “disturbing and unacceptable,” citing the arrest of Olawale as the latest case.

“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.

Olawale, an NDC supporter and political mobiliser associated with the Obidient movement, was reportedly taken from his Lagos residence in the early hours of Sunday, October 25, 2026, by armed men who identified themselves as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to reports, the men allegedly arrived at his residence at about 1 am and took him away, sparking concern among his supporters over his whereabouts.

The circumstances surrounding the incident, however, remain unclear, with no public confirmation from the DSS or police establishing that Olawale is in their custody.

Funso Doherty, the NDC governorship candidate in Lagos State, had also raised the alarm over the reported arrest, saying efforts were being made to establish the facts and gain access to Olawale through his family and legal counsel.

Doherty urged the public to remain calm while the circumstances were being clarified.

Olawale’s reported detention has triggered calls from supporters for information about his whereabouts and his immediate release, with the hashtag #FreeRilwanNow gaining traction online.

Supporters have alleged that his political activities may have been connected to the incident, although there has been no official confirmation establishing the motive for his reported detention.

Obi, in his statement, also accused President Tinubu of undermining democratic values despite being a major beneficiary of Nigeria’s democratic system.

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

Obi maintained that his campaign ahead of the 2027 elections would remain peaceful and focused on issues, saying the NDC was seeking to offer Nigerians a credible alternative founded on competence, accountability, justice and compassion.

“Our campaign is peaceful and issue-driven, focused on offering Nigerians a credible alternative built on competence, accountability, justice, and compassion,” he said.

According to him, his supporters have deliberately chosen peaceful political engagement and persuasion rather than violence and 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 vowed that he would not be intimidated into silence or abandon Nigerians who believe in his political vision.

“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 added.

Obi specifically demanded “transparency regarding Rilwan Olawale’s arrest, his release, respect for his rights, and an end to politically motivated harassment.”

He further argued that Nigerians should be free to support candidates of their choice without fear of intimidation or harassment.

“No government or political party has the right to deny Nigerians the freedom to support a candidate of their choice,” he said.

“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.”