Mama Pee attack on Abure at Benin airport condemned

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

The Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration (DMI) has condemned the public harassment of Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, at the Benin Airport.

The incident, which occurred upon Abure’s arrival from an Abuja–Benin flight, saw an individual identified as Mama Pee accosting him, hurling insults while recording herself, and disrupting public order, a situation that prompted security operatives to intervene.

In a statement signed by Audu Caleb on behalf of the DMI Director General, Marcel Ngogbehei, the LP DMI described the attack as disgraceful, dangerous, and unacceptable, stressing that no political leader or citizen should be subjected to mob harassment in public spaces.

“We condemn this attack on Barr. Julius Abure in the strongest terms. Such actions have no place in a democratic society,” the statement read.

He called on key political actors and institutions to act responsibly in order to prevent further escalation. Specifically, he urged Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as leader of the Obidient Movement, to rein in his supporters and maintain the discipline that has defined the movement.

In addition, he faulted Yunusa Tanko, the appointed leader of the Obidient Movement, for his recent public call for mass mobilisation to rescue Mama Pee, warning that such rhetoric could inflame tensions.

He said: “Such rhetoric is irresponsible and could provoke wider unrest. Leaders must set an example of restraint, not call for mob action.”

Caleb furthermore, appealed to the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies to swiftly investigate the matter, identify all culprits, and bring them to justice in order to deter similar incidents in the future.

According to him, allowing such mob actions to go unchecked risks creating a dangerous culture where political supporters feel emboldened to openly attack perceived opponents in public spaces.

Reaffirming the Labour Party’s commitment to peace and lawful engagement, he emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy must not be hijacked by thuggery and intimidation.

“Nigeria’s capital and our public spaces must remain safe, secure, and dignified. We will not allow street violence to define our democracy,” he added.