The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has demanded the release of Rilwan Olawale, alleging that his arrest was politically motivated, while condemning what he described as the continued intimidation of his supporters across the country.

Obi described Olawale’s case as “disturbing and unacceptable” in a statement posted on his official X handle on Monday.

The former Anambra State governor called for transparency over the arrest, respect for Olawale’s rights and an end to what he characterised as politically motivated harassment.

He also accused President Bola Tinubu of benefiting from Nigeria’s democracy while allegedly undermining its principles by encouraging and facilitating violence.

“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.

He maintained that his campaign was peaceful and issue-driven, offering Nigerians an 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.

Obi said his supporters had chosen peaceful engagement over violence and persuasion over intimidation, warning that their commitment to civility 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 neither he nor his supporters would be intimidated into silence or abandon Nigerians who believed in the possibility of a new Nigeria.

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

He insisted that no government or political party had the right to deny Nigerians the freedom to support a candidate of their choice.

The NDC candidate reaffirmed his commitment to peaceful political engagement, vowing to oppose any attempt to undermine democratic rights through lawful means.

“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,” he said.