Five individuals identified as “hoodlums” have been apprehended at the current national convention of the Labour Party happening at Grand Seasons Hotel in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Wednesday.
The apprehended individuals were reportedly handing out inflammatory leaflets criticizing the party leadership at the convention venue.
After a number of questionings, the detained individuals were later taken to the police headquarters for further inquiry.
They were alleged to be attempting to provoke a disturbance at the ongoing convention.
Similarly, journalists were prevented from entering the convention venue.
Repeated attempts to reach the party's spokesperson, Obiorah Ifoh, asking for tags to facilitate journalists' entry into the venue, were declined.
A party insider stated that the aim of the criminal elements and their backers was to disrupt the convention.
The Labour Party has been going through a crisis due to a leadership dispute over the national chairman position.
A source mentioned that the party leaders are currently carefully managing all information to avoid stirring unnecessary political tension.
Meanwhile, the party's presidential candidate during the February 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, had not yet arrived at the convention venue at the time of this report.