The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has demanded the release of party supporter Rilwan Olawale, alleging that his reported arrest is part of a pattern of intimidation and harassment targeting his supporters.

In a statement posted on X on Monday, Obi called for transparency over Olawale’s reported arrest, respect for his rights and an end to what he described as politically motivated harassment.

“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 accused President Bola Tinubu of undermining democracy, saying the President had benefited from the democratic system and should not encourage or facilitate violence.

Obi said his political campaign remained peaceful and focused on issues, warning that his supporters’ restraint 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.

He added that his movement would not be intimidated into silence or abandon Nigerians who believe in what he described as a possible “New Nigeria.”

Obi called for Olawale’s release and insisted that Nigerians must be free to support candidates of their choice without fear of harassment.

“I therefore demand transparency regarding Rilwan Olawale’s arrest, his release, respect for his rights, and an end to 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.

He maintained that his supporters would remain peaceful while pursuing their democratic rights through lawful means.

The reported arrest was earlier raised by the NDC’s Lagos governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, who said Olawale was allegedly taken from his residence at about 1 a.m. on Sunday by armed men who identified themselves as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement posted on X on Sunday, Doherty said he had contacted Olawale’s family and legal counsel, who were working to establish his whereabouts and secure access to him.

“This afternoon, reports reached me that Mr. Rilwan Olawale, a strong NDC supporter, who is also identified with the Obidient movement, was allegedly picked up by some armed men who identified themselves as operatives of the Department of State Services in the very early hours of today, Sunday 25th October,” Doherty said.

He urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation while efforts were underway to establish the facts and ensure Olawale’s rights were protected.

As of Monday, the circumstances surrounding the reported arrest, Olawale’s exact whereabouts and the reason for his alleged detention remained unclear, with no official confirmation cited in the statements.