Police arrest embattled LP N’Chairman over alleged attempted murder of youth leader

By Elvis Omoregie, Benin

Barely 24 hours after the state chairmen of the 36 states and Abuja passed a vote of confidence on him, the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) Barrister Julius Abure was on Wednesday was arrested by the police at the Zone 5 Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police headquarters in Benin City, Edo State.

There was a blockade of people entering the premises when some journalists got there except police officers and some VIPs.

A crowd believed to be supporters and followers of Abure were also stopped at the gate of the premises while Abure some top LP officials and members were allowed to go in with him.

The operatives of the Police Force arrested Abure following a petition submitted by the LP Youth Leader, Comrade Eragbe Anselm Aphimia.

The petition, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, dated February 13, partly reads, “I, Comrade Eragbe Anselm, write to you with utmost urgency and grave concern regarding a heinous act of violence perpetrated against me on the 29th of December 2023.

“I am a member and National Youth Leader of the Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria, and the events I am about to recount are of utmost importance for justice and the safety of individuals involved in political activities.

“On December 28, 2023, I flew into Benin City Airport around 2 p.m. as part of an official 5-member delegation authorised by the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Alhaji Lamidi Basiru Apapa.

“Our mission was to organise Ward, LGA, and State Congresses in Edo State, as well as supervise the sale of nomination forms for various posts, as mandated by INEC guidelines, within the stipulated time frames.

“On arrival at the Benin Airport, I was received by one Mrs Mary Okheime Newberry, who falsely claimed to be providing transportation and accommodation on behalf of unnamed ‘stakeholders.’

“She proceeded to lodge us at the Smart Homes Hotel, unknown to us that she was plotting a sinister and gruesome ambush. The next morning, a man named Austin Emeka came to pick me and my colleague, Mr Patrick Anethua, up from the hotel lobby, pretending to take us to a meeting venue.

“Instead, we were violently attacked just outside the hotel gates by a waiting mob.”