Labour Party: Disowns Arabambi Peter Obi Suit, Cites Expulsion

• The Labour Party has officially disowned its former National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, stating he is no longer a party member.
• Arabambi filed three separate suits under the Freedom of Information Act, seeking Peter Obi's academic and service records from WAEC, UNN, and NYSC.
• The Labour Party clarified that Arabambi was expelled in March for alleged anti-party activities, a decision ratified in April 2026.
• The party issued a public warning that any representation by Arabambi as an LP chieftain is unauthorized and constitutes prima facie impersonation.
• The National Democratic Congress (NDC) defended Peter Obi's academic credentials and questioned the basis of Arabambi's legal challenge.

For legal practitioners and political observers, this incident underscores the critical necessity of verifying the legal standing and authorized representation of individuals engaged in high-profile political litigation.

The Labour Party (LP) has publicly distanced itself from Abayomi Arabambi, its former National Publicity Secretary, following his initiation of legal proceedings aimed at obtaining the academic and service records of Peter Obi. In a statement released on Monday, Ken Asogwa, the current National Publicity Secretary for the Labour Party, unequivocally declared that Arabambi is no longer affiliated with the political organization. This clarification was deemed necessary by the party after media reports continued to identify Arabambi as an LP chieftain in connection with his legal challenges against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) concerning Peter Obi's credentials.

Arabambi's disassociation from the party stems from his inclusion among 25 members who faced suspension by the Labour Party's National Executive Council in March due to alleged anti-party activities. This suspension was subsequently ratified by the National Convention on April 28, 2026, at which point the affected individuals, including Arabambi, officially ceased to be members of the LP. Asogwa further emphasized that no party organ has since convened to reconsider or overturn the decision regarding these expelled members. The LP's firm stance underscores its non-endorsement of Arabambi's actions, particularly the Peter Obi academic records FOI request.

The legal actions undertaken by Abayomi Arabambi involve three distinct suits filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. These suits invoke the Nigeria Freedom of Information Act, seeking court orders to compel WAEC, UNN, and NYSC to release official documentation pertaining to certificates purportedly issued to Peter Obi. Arabambi has clarified that his objective is not to challenge the authenticity of the certificates Obi submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 presidential election. Instead, he asserts his aim is to gain access to existing institutional records from which the specific details and status of these credentials could be verified.

Despite the nature of Arabambi's request, the Labour Party has explicitly stated its intention to refrain from commenting on the merits or demerits of the litigant's case before the court. This position is reinforced by the party's assertion that Peter Obi is not a member of the Labour Party. Consequently, the party has issued a stern Abayomi Arabambi impersonation warning to the general public, declaring any representation by him as a chieftain or official representative of the Labour Party as entirely unauthorized. Such misrepresentation, the party noted, would prima facie constitute impersonation. The party's legal team is currently reviewing the matter, considering potential legal actions, including lodging a petition with law enforcement authorities. This strong disavowal highlights the Labour Party disowns former publicity secretary and his actions.

This development, where the LP disowns Arabambi Peter Obi suit, carries significant implications for political discourse and legal processes in Nigeria. The clarification from the Labour Party came swiftly, barely 24 hours after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had already dismissed Arabambi's suits. The NDC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, robustly defended Peter Obi’s verifiable academic pedigree in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Online. Director questioned the very foundation of Arabambi’s demand for records, especially given Arabambi’s own admission that he was not disputing the genuineness of Obi’s certificates.

For legal practitioners and political observers, this incident underscores the critical necessity of verifying the legal standing and authorized representation of individuals engaged in high-profile political litigation. Claims of party affiliation, particularly when central to a legal challenge, demand rigorous scrutiny. The Labour Party's explicit warning regarding Abayomi Arabambi impersonation also brings to the forefront potential legal exposures for misrepresentation or unauthorized claims of association. This situation prompts a broader examination of internal party disciplinary processes and the strategies employed for public communication, ensuring clarity on who genuinely represents a political entity. The controversy surrounding the Peter Obi academic records FOI request, involving WAEC, UNN, and NYSC, thus extends beyond the immediate parties to touch upon fundamental issues of political integrity and legal accountability.

This development alerts lawyers to the critical need to verify the legal standing and authorized representation of individuals involved in high-profile political litigation, especially when claims of party affiliation are central. It also highlights potential legal exposures for impersonation or misrepresentation, prompting a review of internal party disciplinary processes and public communication strategies.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH