According to Vanguard, the LP chairman’s arrest followed a petition by the party’s Youth Leader, Comrade Eragbe Anselm Aphimia.
The youth leader petitioned the Edo State Commissioner of Police alleging that he was attacked by some party members in December 2023.
The petition was addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, and dated February 13.
Parts of the petition read, “I, Comrade Eragbe Anselm, write to you with utmost urgency and grave concern regarding a heinous act of violence perpetrated against me on the 29th of December 2023.
“I am a member and National Youth Leader of the Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria, and the events I am about to recount are of utmost importance for justice and the safety of individuals involved in political activities.
“On December 28, 2023, I flew into Benin City Airport around 2 p.m. as part of an official 5-member delegation authorised by the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Alhaji Lamidi Basiru Apapa.
“Our mission was to organise Ward, LGA, and State Congresses in Edo State, as well as supervise the sale of nomination forms for various posts, as mandated by INEC guidelines, within the stipulated time frames.
“On arrival at the Benin Airport, I was received by one Mrs Mary Okheime Newberry, who falsely claimed to be providing transportation and accommodation on behalf of unnamed “stakeholders.”
“She proceeded to lodge us at the Smart Homes Hotel, unknown to us that she was plotting a sinister and gruesome ambush. The next morning, a man named Austin Emeka came to pick me and my colleague, Mr Patrick Anethua, up from the hotel lobby, pretending to take us to a meeting venue.
“Instead, we were violently attacked just outside the hotel gates by a waiting mob.”
However, when contacted by The Media, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said he had not been briefed about the arrest.
He said, “As the PPRO of Edo State, I don’t know anything about it. When I am briefed then I can make it public.”
Also, when contacted, Dr Yunusa Salisu Tanko, Chief Spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council for the 2023 election, simply said, “I will get back to you.”
