Julius Abure, factional chairman of the Labour Party (LP), was reportedly attacked on Friday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while waiting to board a Max Air flight to Benin, the Edo state capital.
In a statement on Saturday, Obiora Ifoh, national publicity secretary of the Abure-led faction, said the party chairman was assaulted by a woman identified as Precious Oruche, also known as “Mama P”.
Ifoh said the confrontation continued throughout the flight despite efforts by cabin crew to intervene.
The LP spokesperson added that the drama extended to Benin Airport, where security operatives escorted Abure to safety and handed the suspect to the police.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air attendants to calm her,” the statement reads.
“The assault, which attracted a large crowd, continued on disembarkation at the Benin Airport while she kept recording the scene.”
Ifoh alleged that Oruche later released a video where she “boasted of having strong police connections”.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her,” he said.
“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 Labour Party.”
The LP factional spokesperson described the incident as “a suicidal aggression” against Abure and accused “anti-democratic forces” of sponsoring the attack.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters,” he said.
“Assault and cyber-bullying are serious crimes under Nigerian law, and we expect the police to fish out her sponsors and bring them to book.”
He asked party members to remain calm while awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
The attack comes amid a prolonged leadership tussle within the LP in which factions are laying claim to the chairmanship despite ruling by the supreme court.
