The Labour Party (LP) has strongly condemned the attack on its National Chairman, Julius Abure, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, describing the incident as a shameful act of violence targeted at silencing opposition voices. The attack, which occurred on Friday, sparked outrage within the party and among its supporters, with calls for security agencies to immediately investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.
According to eyewitnesses, Abure was accosted by a group of unidentified individuals shortly after his arrival at the airport. The attackers allegedly attempted to rough-handle him before he was quickly shielded by party members and sympathizers present at the scene. The LP leader, who escaped without serious injury, was later escorted out under tight protection.
In a statement, the Labour Party expressed deep concern over what it described as an orchestrated attempt to intimidate its leadership and destabilize the party ahead of critical political engagements. The party insisted that such attacks were not only cowardly but also an assault on Nigeria’s democracy and the rights of political actors to operate freely.
LP spokespersons accused political rivals of sponsoring violence against its leaders, warning that no amount of intimidation would deter the party from pursuing its agenda for justice, equity, and good governance. They further called on security agencies to rise above partisan interests and guarantee the safety of all political leaders, regardless of party affiliation.
The party also urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take decisive steps in curbing political violence, stressing that a democracy cannot thrive in an atmosphere where opposition figures are constantly harassed and attacked. It warned that if such incidents are not addressed promptly, they could embolden criminal elements and fuel insecurity in the polity.
Supporters of the Labour Party have since taken to social media to express their anger, with many demanding accountability from security authorities. Some described the attack as part of a larger plot to weaken the party’s growing influence across the country.
While Abure has yet to issue a detailed personal statement on the incident, the Labour Party reaffirmed its determination to continue engaging Nigerians on the need for transformative leadership. The party maintained that it will not be intimidated by acts of violence, but will instead remain steadfast in its commitment to providing a credible alternative in Nigeria’s political space.
