LP Leadership Crisis Deepens as Arabambi Moves to Expel Peter Obi over ADC

Abayomi Arabambi, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), says Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, will be expelled for aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.

Speaking on Tuesday during The Morning Brief, a programme on Channels Television, Arabambi said Obi has committed anti-party activities by associating with the ADC-led alliance and no longer has a place in the LP.

Arabambi, who served as spokesperson for the Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the LP, made the comments following Obi’s recent involvement in a political coalition spearheaded by the ADC—a group he described as a “Yahoo Yahoo” alliance.

Obi, a former Anambra State governor, had said his decision to join the ADC-led coalition was part of efforts to strengthen democracy and build a new Nigeria. He emphasized that the move was not made lightly and aligns with his vision for an inclusive political alternative.

In response, the Julius Abure-led leadership of the LP issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Obi to resign from the party over his coalition involvement. However, a separate faction led by Nenadi Usman rejected the ultimatum, stating that Obi’s actions do not justify such a demand.

Arabambi insisted that the Abure-led leadership remains the only legitimate authority in the party.

“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 took a swipe at Nenadi Usman, saying: “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.”

Arabambi further dismissed the concept of a caretaker committee in the LP, citing both the party and national constitutions.

“As of today, in our party and according to our constitution we do not have anything like a ‘caretaker,’ even under that name,” he said. “Section 222 of the constitution is very clear: political parties shall not be headed by any caretaker. Leaders must be duly elected. So, our constitution aligns with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Describing Obi’s affiliation with the ADC coalition as unconstitutional, Arabambi said the LP will soon convene a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to expel him formally.

“Let me make it very clear: we are convening a NEC meeting where he will be expelled,” Arabambi said.

“You know, 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. It is unconstitutional for someone to be in two political parties at the same time.”

He accused members of the ADC coalition of luring Obi deceitfully.

“They have been able to deceive him to their side — and there he shall remain,” he said.

“An NEC meeting will be called shortly where Obi will be recommended for expulsion, and that will be confirmed finally at our convention, in line with our constitution and the constitutions of most political parties.”

Arabambi concluded by denying that Obi brought recognition to the LP, labelling him instead a “child of circumstance”