Coalition: Peter Obi Will Be Expelled From Labour Party – Arabambi
The Labour Party has announced efforts to eject Peter Obi, its former presidential candidate, for his role in an opposition coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu.
Abayomi Arabambi, a party leader, said on Tuesday that Obi’s ongoing involvement with the coalition while still identifying as a Labour Party member was “unconstitutional” and “unacceptable.”
“Let me make it clear: we are holding a NEC [National Executive Council] meeting where he [Obi] will be dismissed. It is unconstitutional for you to join to two political parties at the same time. “They have duped him into joining their side, and there he will remain,” Arabambi stated.
He highlighted that the NEC will recommend Obi’s expulsion, which would be fully validated at the party’s convention in accordance with its constitution.
“Obi will be removed from our celebration. He’s no longer a member. It is not within his rights to claim, ‘I am still a member of the Labour Party,’ while still hobnobbing with the ‘yahoo yahoo’ coalition. “We will not accept that,” he stated.
In a harsh evaluation, Arabambi attacked public conceptions of Obi’s involvement in the party’s ascent, saying, “I want to correct a very wrong notion—Obi did not make the Labour Party; the Labour Party made Peter Obi.” Obi’s rise was just the outcome of the #EndSARS protests and prior administrations’ failings. Nigerians were just tired.”
He emphasised that the party’s honesty and goodwill gave Obi with a platform to advance his political stature in 2023.
“Because of our own integrity. That was what made Obi who he is today. He should rely on our goodwill, not the other way around. “He started the crisis in the Labour Party,” he stated.
Arabambi accused Obi of authoritarian tendencies, saying, “If he can fight party members to do his will, then he is not fit to run the party.”
He also emphasised the party’s undivided leadership, stating, “Let me be clear: we do not have groups in the Labour Party. We have a single leadership structure led by Julius Abure, our national chairman.Arabambi’s remarks came after the Julius Abure-led wing of the Labour Party issued Obi a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding that he formally renounce his membership due to what they termed as a “bromance” with the coalition.
In a statement dated July 3, LP’s Obiora Ifoh stated, “The Labour Party is not a member of the coalition.” As a result, any of our coalition members have 48 hours to legally renounce their party membership.
“The Labour Party is not open to those with multiple goals or deceitful identities. We will not allow someone to have one leg in our party and the other anywhere else.”
Ifoh accused coalition members of being opportunistic politicians “interested in relaunching themselves into the circle of power”.
This comes after the opposition alliance met in Abuja on Wednesday, July 2, and decided to use the ADC as its official platform for the 2027 elections.
Former Senate President David Mark was chosen interim national chairman, with former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola serving as secretary.
Several past and serving politicians attended the high-profile meeting, including Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, Gabriel Suswam, Ireti Kingibe, Emeka Ihedioha, and Sadique Abubakar, in addition to Obi.