Peter Obi has demanded the fast launch of Rilwan Olawale, a political mobiliser for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), following his reported arrest at his residence in Lagos.
Olawale was taken from his dwelling at about 1 a.m. on Sunday, October 25, by armed males who recognized themselves as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), in line with an announcement by Funso Doherty, the NDC governorship candidate in Lagos State. His whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding the incident stay unclear.
Obi made the demand in an announcement posted on his social media accounts on Monday, condemning what he described because the harassment and intimidation of his supporters throughout the nation.
“The continued intimidation and harassment of my supporters across the country, the latest being the case of Rilwan Olawale, is disturbing and unacceptable,” he stated.
The former Anambra State governor accused President Bola Tinubu of undermining democratic rules and alleged that his administration was encouraging violence in opposition to political opponents.
“President Bola Tinubu has remained a huge beneficiary of our democracy and should not brazenly be destroying it by encouraging and facilitating violence,” Obi wrote.
Obi maintained that his marketing campaign was peaceable and targeted on providing Nigerians an alternate based mostly on competence, accountability, justice and compassion.
He stated his supporters wouldn’t abandon their political actions due to intimidation, including that their dedication to peaceable engagement shouldn’t be mistaken for weak point.
“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 stated.
Obi demanded transparency over Olawale’s arrest, respect for his rights and an finish to what he described as politically motivated harassment.
“No government or political party has the right to deny Nigerians the freedom to support a candidate of their choice,” he stated.
Olawale is an NDC supporter related to the Obidient motion and has been concerned in mobilising help for Obi, the social gathering’s presidential candidate.
Olawale’s arrest comes as he mobilises help for Obi and the NDC. The DSS has not publicly commented on the incident or acknowledged the rationale for his reported detention.
Doherty stated he was involved with Olawale’s household and authorized counsel as efforts continued to determine the information and achieve entry to him. He additionally urged the general public to stay calm and keep away from hypothesis.
Obi reiterated that his motion would pursue its political targets peacefully and use lawful means to defend the democratic rights of its supporters.
Ademide Adebayo
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