Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately release Rilwan Olawale, a supporter currently in custody. Obi also accused the federal government of enabling the harassment and intimidation of opposition supporters across the country.
In a statement released via his official Facebook page, the NDC leader described the treatment of his political supporters as “disturbing and unacceptable.” He argued that the detention of Olawale is part of a wider, systemic effort to suppress political opposition and discourage dissent.
Obi’s demand for Olawale’s release follows allegations of continued intimidation of opposition supporters, which the candidate claims is occurring in various parts of the nation. He urged the presidency to address these grievances to prevent further erosion of democratic values and civil liberties.
Allegations of political suppression
The NDC candidate’s accusations suggest a period of heightened tension between the ruling administration and opposition groups. Obi maintained that the current environment has become increasingly hostile to those who do not align with the government’s political direction, characterising the situation as a threat to democratic stability.
By highlighting the case of Olawale, Obi is attempting to draw national attention to what he describes as the targeted harassment of his movement’s members. He insisted that the government has a fundamental responsibility to ensure that political participation does not come at the cost of personal safety or liberty.
The detention of Olawale has not yet been accompanied by a detailed explanation of the specific charges or the security agency responsible for the arrest. This lack of clarity has contributed to the growing calls from the NDC for greater transparency regarding the legal status of their members and the grounds for their detention.
While the presidency and relevant security agencies have not yet issued a formal response to the specific claims made by Obi, the situation has raised questions about the protection of political rights under the current administration. The NDC has stated they will seek legal counsel to address the detention and ensure the safety of their supporters moving forward.
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