The Labour Party (LP) is in an uproar following a physical assault on its National Chairman, Julius Abure, by a woman during a flight from Abuja to Benin.
The incident occurred on Friday as Abure was waiting to board a Max Air flight. According to a statement from the party’s spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, a woman identified as Precious Oruche, popularly known as Mama P, suddenly confronted and attacked Abure.
The confrontation did not end on the tarmac. Ifoh stated that Mama P continued her aggressive behaviour throughout the duration of the flight, defying repeated pleas from flight attendants to calm down. The scene reportedly attracted the attention of many passengers.
Upon landing at Benin Airport, the assault continued during disembarkation, with the attacker allegedly recording the entire episode. It took the intervention of security personnel at the airport to rescue Abure and escort him to safety. Mama P was subsequently handed over to the police.
The Labour Party’s anger intensified after a video surfaced online featuring the alleged attacker. In the video, Mama P is said to have boasted about her connections with high-ranking police officials, vowed that no action would be taken against her, and promised to continue targeting Abure and other LP executives. She justified her actions by claiming the party leadership had “killed Labour Party” and were the reason Peter Obi is no longer with the party.
The LP leadership has labelled the attack “a suicidal aggression” and insists it was a politically motivated act sponsored by “anti-democratic elements.” The party is calling on the police to not only prosecute the attacker but also to identify and bring her sponsors to justice.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters,” Ifoh said. He urged party members to remain calm and avoid retaliation while awaiting the outcome of a police investigation.
This attack is the latest challenge for Abure, whose leadership of the Labour Party has been fraught with controversy since its rise to prominence during the 2023 elections. Despite court rulings affirming his position, the party remains deeply fractured, with multiple factions disputing control and ongoing tensions over its constitution and leadership tenure.
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