Protest erupts in Edo over arrest of Labour Party chairman Abure

Protesters have stormed the Edo state Police Command in Benin City, over the arrest of the National chairman of Labour Party, (LP), Julius Abure.

Police officers arrested Abure on Wednesday afternoon following a petition by LP’s Youth Leader, Comrade Eragbe Anselm, addressed to the Commissioner of Police.

In the petition dated February 13, 2024, the youth leader alleged that he was attacked by some party members in December 2023 on the instructions of the chairman.

However, it was also reported that the Edo State Chairman of the party Kelly Agbaloi, was arrested, alongside Abure.

LP’s national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, disclosed that the Party had a very successful delegate election in Benin on Tuesday ahead of the Party Primaries scheduled to be held on Friday.

According to him, Abure was arrested after the meeting by a combined team of DSS and Police officers. He noted that Abure, Ogbaloi, and their aides were also manhandled.

Ifoh said in part; “The party chairman only this morning along with party governorship aspirants also kept a scheduled security briefing with the Department of the State Security.

“A Police source informed the party officials and other governorship aspirants at the gate of the police headquarters that the arrest was in connection with a protest letter by one of the expelled member of the party loyal to Lamidi Apapa camp.

“The source also said that the arrest was not unconnected to the ongoing party primary and the possible candidate that will emerge which the state government is vehemently opposed to.”

After news of the incident broke, party supporters loyal to Abure besieged the gate of the police head office in Benin City to express their displeasure.