In response to the arrest of Labour Party (LP) National Chairperson, Julius Abure, by police in Benin City, Edo State, LP presidential candidate Peter Obi labeled the incident "demeaning and intolerable." Videos circulated showing Mr. Abure being manhandled during the arrest, leading to clashes between police officers and party supporters.
Peter Obi expressed dismay at the "distressing image" of Mr. Abure lying on the ground during the arrest, denouncing the police officer's actions as the "pinnacle of rascality." He emphasized the need to address such behavior to uphold justice and respect for individual dignity within society.
As a leader within the LP, Mr. Abure represents the face of political opposition in Nigeria, according to Peter Obi. He warned against using any pretext to stifle opposition and demanded that Mr. Abure be granted bail based on his status while investigations proceed. Obi stressed the importance of according due respect to political parties as institutions of democratic statehood.
LP's national spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, provided details of the arrest, stating that Mr. Abure was taken into custody after a security meeting with the State Security Service (SSS). The arrest, accompanied by the Edo State chairperson Kelly Ogbaloi, was met with resistance from party supporters expressing displeasure.
Ifoh alleged that the arrest was linked to a protest letter by an expelled party member loyal to the Apapa dissident camp. He claimed that the arrest aimed to disrupt the ongoing party primary and interfere with the selection of a candidate for the governorship election. The LP remains firm in its commitment to participating in the electoral process despite the challenges posed by Mr. Abure's arrest.
As tensions rise amidst these political developments, Peter Obi's call for justice echoes concerns about the potential stifling of opposition voices, emphasizing the need for a fair and transparent resolution to the situation.
