The Labour Party has disowned Abayomi Arabambi, the man who reportedly instituted a legal action involving the academic records of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, insisting that he is no longer a member of the party.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, made the clarification in a statement dated September 14, 2026, following reports in some mainstream newspapers identifying Arabambi as an “LP chieftain” in connection with the case.
The party specifically took exception to headlines published by The Punch and Vanguard newspapers, which read: “LP chieftain sues WAEC, UNN, NYSC over Obi’s credentials” and “2027: Obi’s credentials under probe as LP chieftain sues WAEC, UNN, NYSC”, respectively.
The Labour Party said it initially chose not to respond when the story began circulating on social media, believing that a reaction could give unnecessary publicity to what it described as the activities of “clout chasers”. However, the party said it became necessary to clarify the matter after the reports were published by mainstream media organisations.
While declining to comment on the substance of the court case, the party stressed that Abayomi Arabambi is not a member of the Labour Party and therefore could not have instituted the action as a representative of the party.
According to the statement, the Labour Party’s National Executive Council suspended 25 members on March 18, 2026, over various alleged infractions, including anti-party activities. The party said Arabambi was among those affected by the suspension.
The Labour Party further stated that the suspension was subsequently ratified by its National Convention, described as the party’s highest decision-making organ, on April 28, 2026.
Following the ratification, the party said the affected individuals ceased to be members, adding that no organ of the Labour Party had since revisited or reversed the decision concerning the expelled members.
The party therefore maintained that Arabambi had “long severed ties with the Labour Party” and could not legitimately present himself as an LP chieftain or representative in relation to the case.
“If Abayomi Arabambi has presented himself to the public as a chieftain or representative of the Labour Party, the general public is hereby notified that such representation is entirely unauthorised and, prima facie, amounts to impersonation,” the statement said.
The party disclosed that its lawyers were reviewing the matter to determine what legal or other actions could be taken, including a possible petition to relevant law enforcement authorities.
The controversy comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the credentials and political standing of prominent presidential contenders increasingly becoming subjects of public debate and litigation.
The Labour Party, however, emphasised that its statement was strictly intended to clarify Arabambi’s relationship with the party and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or rejection of the claims contained in his court action against Peter Obi.
The development could further intensify the political and legal controversy surrounding Obi’s academic records, while also potentially opening another dispute over the unauthorised use of the Labour Party’s name and identity.
The party concluded by urging the media and members of the public to take note of Arabambi’s current status and not portray him as an authorised representative or chieftain of the Labour Party.
