Labour Party DMI Urges Peter Obi to Caution Obidient Movement After Abure Airport Incident

The Labour Party’s Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration (DMI) has called on the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to rein in members of the Obidient Movement after an incident involving the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, at Benin Airport.

In a statement signed by Audu Caleb on behalf of the Director-General, the DMI described the confrontation as unacceptable, stressing that political leaders should not be subjected to harassment in public.

“We condemn this attack on Barrister Julius Abure in the strongest terms. Such actions have no place in a democratic society,” the statement read.

According to eyewitnesses, Abure was approached by a woman upon his arrival from Abuja, who recorded the incident on her phone, causing a brief disruption before security officials stepped in.

The DMI urged Obi, as the leader of the Obidient Movement, to ensure discipline among his supporters. It also faulted Yunusa Tanko, who was described as an appointed leader of the movement, for publicly backing the woman involved in the encounter.

“Such rhetoric is irresponsible and could provoke wider unrest. Leaders must set an example of restraint, not call for mob action,” the group added.

The organisation further appealed to security agencies to investigate the incident and take appropriate measures, warning that inaction could embolden similar acts in the future.