Labour Party National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, has been allegedly attacked at the Benin Airport by a woman identified as Ms. Precious Oruche, in an incident the party has described as politically motivated.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party condemned the assault, alleging that Oruche, a member of the Obidient political family and a content creator, confronted Abure while he was on a boarding queue for a Max Air flight from Abuja to Benin before launching the attack.
According to the party, the confrontation continued throughout the flight, with Oruche allegedly ignoring repeated attempts by flight attendants to de-escalate the situation. The altercation reportedly intensified on arrival at Benin Airport, where she continued recording videos and verbally abusing Abure until security operatives intervened and escorted him to safety.
“The leadership of the Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have unsuccessfully tried to wrestle the leadership of the party from him,” the statement read.
LP further alleged that Oruche boasted of her links to senior police officers and vowed to continue targeting Abure and other members of the party’s leadership.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the party,’” the party claimed.
“We sincerely believe that the lady was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyberbullying are serious crimes, and the police must fish out her sponsors and bring them to justice,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Oruche has accused Abure of sending thugs linked to his faction to assault her at the airport.
The Labour Party is divided into two factions, with one loyal to 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi.