…no pretex or subterfuge should be employed to stifle Nigeria’s political opposition.
By Osita Chinedu
Mr. Peter Obi has condemned the arrest of the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr. Julius Abure by security personnel on Wednesday 21, February in Edo state.
It was gathered that Abure was arrested by men of the Zone 5 Police Headquarters Benin-city, Edo state, a few days to the Labour Party’s primary election in Edo state.
The former governor of Anambra state and LP presidential candidate in the last presidential election took to his X handle and described the arrest as humiliating.
“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 role 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.
“I firmly believe that, as citizens, 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. This act is undesirable, demeaning, and unequivocally intolerable and must be condemned by any decent and civilized mind within the context of our present civic landscape in Nigeria.”
While admitting the right of constitutional authorities in carrying out their statutory functions, Obi was of the opinion that what played out in the arrest could only be an epitome of rascality which showcases the entire nation as a place of lawlessness and called on relevant authorities to not only condemn such but equally address it actively to uphold the principles of decency, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual within our society.
He further averred that Abure as an incumbent representative figure of the Labour Party which stands as the face of the opposition political party in Nigeria deserves to be accorded due respect.
“It is imperative to reiterate that no pretex 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,” he said.
It was gathered that the police arrested Abure on the grounds of alleged attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and related offences. According to the spokesperson of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, who spoke on Channels Television breakfast show, ‘The Morning Brief’, “It’s true that he was arrested, brutalised yesterday (Wednesday) by a combined team of police and the DSS but he was released last night along with four other members of our party who were arrested with him.”
