From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections Peter Obi has condemned the arrest of the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, saying that the incident was distasteful and humiliating.
Abure was taken into custody on Wednesday night by police officers from Zone 5 Headquarters in Benin City, Edo State, but he was subsequently freed.
The LP chairman was arrested over allegations bordering on attempted murder,conspiracy, brutal assault, armed robbery, grievous harm and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.
Reacting via his X handle on Thursday, Obi condemned the manhandling of Abure in the arrest process, adding that such behaviours represent the height of irresponsibility and further damages the already negative image of our country as a lawless one.
He wrote: “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.
“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 civilised mind within the context of our present civic landscape in Nigeria. These deplorable actions epitomise 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 emphasise 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 emphasise 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 of his alleged offence continues.”