A key figure in the Labour Party (LP) and spokesperson for the Lamidi Apapa-led faction Abayomi Arabambi, declared on Tuesday that Peter Obi faces expulsion from the party due to his decision to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition.
Speaking in a televised interview, Arabambi accused the former Anambra governor of engaging in anti-party activities that disqualify him from remaining in the LP. He emphasized that Obi’s alliance with the ADC coalition which Obi described as a step toward strengthening democracy and fostering an inclusive political alternative constitutes a breach of party rules.
The party leadership under Julius Abure issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Obi’s resignation from the LP following his coalition involvement. However, a rival faction led by Nenadi Usman rejected this demand, maintaining that Obi’s actions do not warrant expulsion.
Arabambi insisted that the Abure-led group remains the only legitimate leadership of the LP, dismissing the Usman faction and denying the existence of any caretaker committee within the party, referencing constitutional provisions that mandate elected leadership.
He characterized Obi’s coalition membership as “unconstitutional” and revealed plans to convene a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to formally expel him. Arabambi reiterated that Obi had been suspended prior to his coalition move, which he said violates party and federal constitutions prohibiting simultaneous membership in two political parties.
Accusing the ADC coalition of deceitfully recruiting Obi, Arabambi said, “They have been able to deceive him to their side and there he shall remain.” He labeled the coalition a “Yahoo Yahoo” alliance and rejected claims that Obi brought prominence to the Labour Party, instead describing him as a “child of circumstance.”
