A heated altercation broke out on Saturday at the domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, involving supporters of the Labour Party (LP). The fracas stemmed from allegations of an attack on the party’s former National Chairman, Julius Abure, and a member of the “Obidient Movement,” Ms. Precious Oruche, popularly known as “Mama P.”
Oruche, a social media figure and strong supporter of Peter Obi, claimed in a Facebook post that Abure’s loyalists attacked her before and after a flight from Abuja to Benin on Friday. She alleged the assault was unprovoked and linked it to her criticisms of Abure’s leadership.
However, Abure’s camp denied the claim. In a statement signed by factional LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party accused “Mama P” of verbally and physically assaulting Abure while they were on queue to board a Max Air flight. According to Ifoh, the altercation continued during the flight and upon arrival in Benin, despite efforts by flight attendants to restore calm.
“The assault, which attracted a large number of onlookers, only stopped after security operatives intervened at Benin Airport, whisking Abure to safety while the attacker was handed to the police,” the statement said.
Ifoh further alleged that Oruche boasted of having police connections and vowed to continue attacking Abure and LP executives, blaming them for weakening the party and Peter Obi’s political setbacks.
The Labour Party leadership condemned the incident as “cyber bullying and physical assault,” urging the Inspector General of Police to investigate the matter and prosecute those involved. It also appealed to party members to remain calm pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Obidient Movement, an umbrella body of Peter Obi’s supporters, has yet to issue a formal statement on the clash.
