The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr Julius Abure, has been nabbed by security operatives in Edo State.
Abure was nabbed on Wednesday, a few days before the party’s primary election in Edo State.
He was nabbed by operatives of the Zone 5 police headquarters in Benin, Edo State.
A mob had gathered at the entrance, with only police officers and a few VIPs allowed inside. It was learnt that his arrest was the outcome of a petition sent to the Zone from the office of the Inspector General of Police in Abuja.
Abure was seen in viral videos and pictures being roughly handled by police officers, while his supporters from the LP party tried to interfere to stop his arrest.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Zone, Tijani Momoh, said, “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.
“It was referred to Zone 5 from the IG’s office, he is with us but I cannot give the contents of the petition right now.”
When asked if he was being detained or just to take his statement, Momoh said, “I don’t know for now.”
Abure has been having fierce battles with some members of the party in the state over allegations of replacing candidates in the 2023 general election without the consent of the affected aspirants, an allegation he has denied.
It was also gathered that the arrest may be linked to the factional crisis shaking the party as a factional national youth leader was recently assaulted by some suspected members of the party.
Abure has also faced criticism for allegedly mismanaging party funds.
