Julius Abure Allegedly Attacked at Benin Airport Amidst Escalating Party Crisis

A dramatic scene unfolded at the Benin Airport as the supposed National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Barrister Julius Abure, was allegedly attacked by a woman identified as Ms. Precious Oruche. The incident, which occurred on arrival from Abuja aboard a Max Air flight, has been described by the party as “politically motivated.”

According to a statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the confrontation began while Abure was on a boarding queue for the Abuja–Benin flight. 

Oruche, described as a member of the Obidient political family and a content creator, allegedly accosted the LP Chairman before physically attacking him.

The party alleged that the altercation did not end there, as Oruche reportedly carried on the confrontation throughout the flight, disregarding multiple interventions by flight attendants who tried to de-escalate the situation. On arrival at the Benin Airport, witnesses said the confrontation intensified, with Oruche continuing to record videos while 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.

The party further alleged that Oruche openly boasted of her connections to senior police officers and vowed to sustain her attacks against Abure and 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,’” LP claimed.

The statement further added: “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.”

However, in a twist to the controversy, Oruche has also accused Abure of sending thugs linked to his faction to assault her at the airport, further deepening the confusion surrounding the incident.

The Labour Party has for months been embroiled in a leadership tussle, with one faction loyal to its embattled National Chairman Julius Abure, while the other aligns with its 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi. The Benin Airport incident is now being seen as a reflection of the escalating hostilities between the warring factions of the party.