The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, expressed strong disapproval of the arrest of the LP National Chairperson, Julius Abure, by the police, describing the scene as “demeaning and intolerable.”
Mr. Abure was apprehended on Wednesday in Benin City, Edo State, by police officers from Zone 5 Benin on charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and other alleged offenses.
Videos circulating of the arrest depicted Mr. Abure being manhandled by police officers while party supporters attempted to resist the arrest, as reported by Channels TV.
In response to the arrest, Mr. Obi condemned the actions of the police officers, stating that they represent a peak of unruly behavior and significantly damage the already troubling image of the nation as a hub of lawlessness.
He emphasized the need to not only denounce such behavior but also actively address it to uphold principles of justice and respect for individual dignity within society.
Highlighting Mr. Abure’s role as a leader within the Labour Party and the importance of political parties as institutions of democratic statehood, Mr. Obi insisted that no pretext should be used to suppress opposition in the country.
He demanded that Mr. Abure be granted bail based on his status while investigations into the alleged offenses continue.
The LP recently conducted ward congresses to elect delegates in preparation for its governorship primary scheduled for Friday.
Providing details of the arrest, the LP national spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, stated that Mr. Abure, along with governorship aspirants, had attended a scheduled security meeting with the State Security Service (SSS) in Benin on Wednesday morning.
However, Mr. Abure was arrested after the meeting by a combined team of SSS and police officers.
Mr. Ifoh, in a statement on Wednesday, revealed that the Edo State chairperson of the party, Kelly Ogbaloi, was also arrested.
According to Mr. Ifoh, the police rejected attempts by party leaders to gain access to the Zone 5 headquarters due to a gathering of party supporters expressing displeasure over Mr. Abure’s arrest.
He alleged that the arrest was related to a protest letter from an expelled member of the party associated with the Apapa dissident camp, as well as the ongoing party primary and the anticipated candidate that might emerge, which the state government opposes.
