Less than three days remain until the primary election of the Labour Party (LP) for the Edo Governorship race, and tension rises as operatives from the Zone 5 headquarters of the Nigeria Police apprehend the National Chairman of the party, Mr. Julius Abure.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Abure was detained in Benin following a petition lodged with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), accusing him of conspiracy and inflicting bodily harm, among other charges, as stated by a faction within the party.
Upon visiting the zonal headquarters, a crowd, purportedly supporters of the LP stalwart, congregated at the premises’ gate. Nonetheless, select party officials were permitted entry to confer with the national president of the party.
In confirmation of the event, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Zone, Tijani Momoh, affirmed that Abure’s arrest stemmed from a written petition alleging conspiracy, murder, armed robbery, grievous bodily harm, and behaviour likely to incite a breach of peace.
Momoh clarified that the petition against Abure had been forwarded from the Inspector General’s office to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police overseeing the zone. He stated, “There is a standing order for now that nobody should come in. Yes, the Labour Party National Chairman is here, and it has to do with a petition that was referred to this office from the Inspector General of Police.”
Responding to inquiries regarding Abure’s status, whether detained or merely providing a statement, Momoh remarked, “I don’t know for now.”
