The Labour Party crisis escalated on Wednesday with an alleged arson attack on the Abuja residence of its National Chairman, Julius Abure, by unidentified assailants.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, in a statement in Abuja, alleged that Abure escaped “an assassination attempt at his residence.”
Ifoh said, “His ( Abure’s) residence was also gutted by a mysterious fire which started a few minutes after 1AM while Abure and the members of his family were asleep.
“According to a member of the family who narrated the incidence, the family was woken up by neighbours and security men living in the compound who raised the alarm.
“The entire family were trapped as the inferno had reached the staircase making it impossible for Abure and family to escape.
“However, it took divine intervention for the national chairman and his family to escape after neighbours and security men gallantly pulled down one of the windows upstairs making ways for the family to escape.
“Men of the Fire Service arrived shortly after Abure and his family were evacuated.
“Abure and his family were rushed to a private hospital where they are presently receiving treatment. Their condition is however stable.”
It was not exactly clear whether the matter has been officially reported to the police as at the time of filing this report.
The party has been engulfed by a leadership crisis since the 2023 general elections. Matters got to a head with calls by the Nigeria Labohr Congress (NLC) and other stakeholders of the party for the National Chairman to resign.
Despite opposition from the NLC, Abure secured re-election as Labour Party Chairman for a second term, with unanimous support from delegates at the recent national convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State. The declaration was made by Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu, the Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State.
Abure has been engaged in a contentious dispute with NLC leadership, particularly led by Joe Ajaero.
The NLC had previously called for Abure’s resignation and the establishment of a caretaker transition committee to oversee a transparent national convention.
Amidst these tensions, on March 20, workers unable to access the party office gathered outside, demanding Abure’s removal over alleged financial misconduct, chanting songs of protest.
The leadership of opposing factions within the party criticized the NLC’s endorsement of the LP, highlighting divisions over leadership. According to the LP, the party’s leadership does not answer to the congress, further deepening the rift within the party.
