Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the "humiliating" arrest of the party's National Chairman, Julius Abure. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Obi characterized the arrest in Benin City, Edo State, as the "pinnacle of rascality."

Videos circulating online depicted Abure being forcefully handled by police officers, while LP supporters attempted to prevent his arrest. The police alleged that Abure was apprehended for attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and related offenses. Following protests by LP members at the Zone 5 office in Edo, Abure was released on bail early Thursday.

Expressing his dismay on social media, Obi stated, "Watching the distressing image of our National Chairman lying on the ground in the name of arrest is unacceptable." He condemned the act as "undesirable, demeaning, and unequivocally intolerable," emphasizing the need for condemnation by all decent and civilized individuals.

Obi asserted that such actions epitomize lawlessness and tarnish Nigeria's already regrettable reputation. He stressed the importance of denouncing and addressing such behavior to uphold justice and respect for individual dignity within society.

While acknowledging the need for constitutional authorities to fulfill their duties, Obi emphasized the importance of adhering to due process, civility, and established arrest procedures. He underscored the significance of respecting the rights and dignity of citizens, as well as the presumption of innocence before the law.

As a leader within the Labour Party, Abure represents the political opposition in Nigeria, and political parties should be accorded due respect as institutions of democratic statehood, according to Obi. He urged that Abure be granted bail based on his status while investigations into the alleged offenses continue, emphasizing the importance of not stifling Nigeria's political opposition.