-February 22, 2024, News/Comments
By John Okoro
-BENIN: The 2023 Labour Party , (LP) Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has berated the Nigerian Police Force over the manner its National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, was mishandled, on allegations of an attempt to murder. The former Governor of Anambra state maintained that , only insane minds will not condemn the action of the Police Force on Abure, reiterating that, such action will continue to tarnish the image of the Country and democracy. He made this known via his Twitter (X) handle, late Wednesday:
“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.
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. 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.”
“Regarding the circumstances surrounding Mr. Abure’s arrest, it is crucial to emphasize that while constitutional authorities must be allowed to execute their statutory functions, officers must adhere to due process, civility, decency and established arrest procedures, embody civility, decorum, respect for the dignity and rights of citizens, and, above all, the presumption of innocence before the law.”
“It is crucial to emphasize that as a leader within the Labour Party, Mr. Abure represents, both personally and statutorily, as the incumbent Chairman of the LP, the face of political opposition in Nigeria. Most importantly, political Parties are institutions of democratic statehood and ought to that extent be accorded due respect.”
“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 his alleged offence continues.”
Meanwhile, News express had reported that the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, was arrested by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), in charge of Zone 5, Benin City, Edo State, Mr. Arungwa Nwazule, on Wednesday evening but later released around 3.05 am on Thursday.
The AIG had late Wednesday night disclosed that the LP National Chairman, the Edo State chairman of the party, Kelly Ogbaloi and three others, were arrested for “conspiracy, brutal assault, attempted murder, armed robbery, grievous harm and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.”
Speaking to some of his supporters who were at the AIG Zone 5 headquarters shortly after his release, Abure stated that what he suffered is peculiar to what other freedom fighters suffer all over the world.
He added that his release by the police was effected by pressure mounted on the police from some quarters which he did not name, adding that assurances were given that the state chairman, state publicity secretary and others arrested alongside him would be released in the early hours of Thursday.
