Labour Party chieftain Abayomi Arabambi has declared that Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate, no longer belongs in the party following what he called “unconstitutional” and “anti-party” conduct.
Speaking on Tuesday during a TV interview, Arabambi spokesperson of the Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the LP slammed Obi’s involvement in a new political coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as a betrayal of party loyalty.
“Let me make it very clear: we are convening a NEC meeting where he will be expelled,” Arabambi said. “He was under suspension before he went ahead to commit those anti-party activities. You don’t go and join another political party and, at the same time, still claim to belong to your original party.”
Obi had described his decision to align with the ADC-led alliance as one aimed at “strengthening democracy and building a new Nigeria,” insisting it aligns with his political vision. But Arabambi dismissed the move as unconstitutional, accusing the coalition of luring Obi deceitfully.
“They have been able to deceive him to their side and there he shall remain,” he said.
Arabambi insisted that the Labour Party’s constitution, in line with Section 222 of the Nigerian Constitution, does not allow any party member to maintain dual affiliations, nor does it provide for caretaker committees like the faction allegedly led by Nenadi Usman.
“We only have one leadership under Barrister Julius Abure as the national chairman, and Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the national secretary,” he said.
He also mocked Obi’s ties to the opposing faction, adding sarcastically, “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.”
In response to a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Abure-led LP demanding Obi’s resignation, a different faction led by Usman had rejected the demand, arguing that joining the ADC coalition was not grounds for expulsion.
But Arabambi doubled down, calling the coalition a “Yahoo Yahoo alliance” and warning that the party’s national convention will soon finalize Obi’s expulsion.
“Obi will be expelled from our party. He is no longer a member of our party,” Arabambi said. “It is not within his right to tell us that he still belongs to the Labour Party while aligning himself with another.”
He also refuted suggestions that Obi had elevated the party’s national profile during the 2023 elections.
“Peter Obi is merely a child of circumstance,” he said bluntly.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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