The Julius Abure-led Labour Party, on Tuesday, said the party would convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for the sole purpose of expelling its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
In a swift reaction, the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee urged Obi to ignore the rantings of people it described as impostors.
Abayomi Arabambi, a member of the faction, said Obi would be expelled for joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.
Speaking on Tuesday during “The Morning Brief”, a programme on Channels Television, Arabambi said the ex-Anambra governor had committed anti-party activities and no longer had a place in LP.
Arabambi was spokesperson of the Lamidi Apapa-led faction of LP.
His comments came in the wake of Obi’s attachment to the ADC coalition, a political alliance he said was aimed at strengthening democracy and building a new Nigeria.
Obi had said his decision to join the coalition was not made lightly, adding that the move aligned with his vision of creating an inclusive political alternative.
In reaction, the leadership of the Abure-led LP issued a 48-hour ultimatum, asking Obi to resign from the party for aligning with the ADC coalition. The Abure group stated, “We only have one leadership under Barrister Julius Abure as the national chairman, and Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the national secretary.
“Probably, the people you are referring to are those associated with Nenadi Usman, whom Mr Peter Obi has graciously appointed as the chairman of their yam festival committee.”
But in a statement by Ken Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser, Media, to Usman, the faction urged Obi and party members to ignore those they described as impostors.
The statement said, “The attention of the Labour Party has been drawn to plans by a group of political jesters – unknown. to the Party but parading themselves as members – to convene a kangaroo meeting with the aim of sowing confusion and mischief in the ongoing coalition efforts involving His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi.
“These impostors, acting on behalf of shadowy interests, intend to purport an expulsion of Mr. Obi from the Labour Party – a move as laughable as it is illegal.
“We urge Nigerians to disregard the desperate rantings of these meddlesome interlopers whose only mission is to undermine the credibility and towering influence of Mr. Peter Obi in the coalition-building process aimed at rescuing Nigeria.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Labour Party, through a widely circulated statement issued on the 25th of May, 2025, made it categorically clear that Mr. Peter Obi’s involvement in the coalition talks enjoys the full backing and blessing of the leadership of the party.”
The statement added, “The media and the general public are hereby enjoined to ignore these comedians of politics who are merely performing for their paymasters.
“They are well aware that the sun is fast setting on their charade, and their relevance – anchored solely on attacking Peter Obi – will evaporate the moment he completes his signified intention to join the newly birthed platform.”
Chuks Okocha
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