The candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has lambasted the police over the arrest of the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure.
He termed the arrest humiliating and distasteful, saying that the manner in which it was carried out was not civil.
GNtv News learnt that Julius Abure was arrested alongside Kelly Ogbaloi in Benin City, Edo State capital.
Ogbaloi is the Labour Party chairman in Edo State. The arrest was carried out on Wednesday evening, February 21, 2024.
According to reports, Abure was arrested due to a petition in a case of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit crime.
Tijani Momoh, spokesman for Zone 5 of Edo State Police Command, confirmed thus:
“I wish to confirm the arrest of the factional chairman of the Labour Party, Mr Julius Abure.
“And I think three or four others due to a written petition that was endorsed to the AIG Benin.
“The petition was endorsed from the office of the inspector-general of police”.
But Peter Obi was not happy with the arrest.
What Peter Obi Said
“Like many Nigerians, I observed the distasteful national television news reports detailing the humiliating arrest of the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, earlier today in Benin City, Edo state.
“Throughout my roles as a private individual, public figure, Governor, and Presidential candidate…
“I consistently advocated for the paramount importance of upholding the rule of law in any sane society.
“We are all duty-bound irrespective of our status in society to respond to invitations from properly constituted authority.
“My stance on this matter remains unwavering but does not explain watching the distressing image of our National Chairman lying on the ground in the name of arrest.
“These deplorable actions epitomize the pinnacle of rascality…
“And serve to egregiously tarnish the already regrettable perception of our nation as one plagued by lawlessness.
“Such behaviour must not only be denounced but also actively addressed
to uphold the principles of justice and respect for the dignity of the individual within our society.
“It is imperative to reiterate that no pretext or subterfuge should be employed to stifle Nigeria’s political opposition.
“Therefore, I urge that he should be granted bail based on his status while the investigation of his alleged offence continues”.