Yusrah Lawal
The Labour Party is set to expel its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and prominent party figures including Senator Victor Umeh and Senator Ireti Kingibe over their alleged alliance with the newly formed coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
This was disclosed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, during a press briefing held on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Arabambi said the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will convene next Tuesday, with the expulsion of the trio forming part of the agenda. He described their actions as “blatant anti-party conduct” and a betrayal of the party’s collective interest.
“Peter Obi cannot remain in the Labour Party in name while his spirit, strategy and alignment rest with the ADC coalition. His claim of loyalty to LP is disingenuous,” Arabambi said.
He also accused Obi of abandoning the party that provided him with a national platform in 2023, adding that the party had now opened its presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
PLATFORM TIMES recalls that Obi recently announced his participation in the ADC-led coalition, which aims to unseat the current administration in 2027. Despite his new political affiliations, Obi has insisted that he remains a member of the Labour Party and intends to run for president again.
But Arabambi insisted that Obi’s political stance is untenable.
“He’s trying to ride two horses at once. You can’t be part of a new coalition and still claim LP membership,” he said.
In a scathing assessment, Arabambi described Obi as “a master of illusion” whose political brand is built on optics rather than substance. He argued that Obi’s leadership lacked ideological clarity, accusing him of populism and economic misinformation.
“Obi’s appeal rests more on carefully crafted media narratives than any real track record of transformative governance. His tenure as governor, though often romanticised, is full of contradictions,” he said.
Arabambi further alleged that Obi misrepresented Nigeria’s debt profile during a recent interview on Channels TV, accusing him of converting foreign debt figures into naira at inflated rates to create a false sense of crisis.
He also announced that the party had begun consultations to present a new presidential flagbearer for 2027.
According to Arabambi, one of the leading contenders is Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, popularly known as Fadojoe.
Describing Faduri as “a visionary with unimpeachable credentials,” Arabambi said the party would no longer entrust its presidential ambitions to individuals with no ideological loyalty.
“Faduri is not a token aspirant. He is a U.S.-licensed nurse, an entrepreneur, and a tested leader. He understands the depth of Nigeria’s challenges and has a clear roadmap for transformation,” he stated.
Arabambi also criticised Obi’s past political decisions, claiming he failed to condemn separatist rhetoric from the South-East and moved in contradiction to his famed frugality by flying private jets and engaging in lavish spending.
He further argued that Obi’s campaign lacked depth and relied heavily on emotional appeals and simplistic slogans, unlike Fadojoe’s “policy-driven and pragmatic blueprint.”
As the Labour Party prepares for a major shake-up in its leadership and strategy ahead of 2027, Arabambi concluded by calling on Nigerians to “reject political theatre” and support candidates with “genuine reform credentials.”
“The time of populist showmanship is over. Nigeria needs leaders who are not only competent but committed to systemic change. The Labour Party will not compromise its future for political convenience,” he said.
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