LP: Disowns Ex-Spokesperson Over Peter Obi UNN Degree Lawsuit

• The Labour Party disowned its former spokesperson, Abayomi Arabambi, who is no longer a member of the party, after he sued the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
• The lawsuit sought a certified true copy of Peter Obi's Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy certificate, number D000198, issued by UNN in 1984.
• The former spokesperson's request was made under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act.
• UNN reportedly refused to provide the requested certificate, leading to the legal action.
• Peter Obi is currently the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

The Labour Party has publicly distanced itself from its former spokesperson, Abayomi Arabambi, who is no longer a member of the party, after he initiated a lawsuit against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

The Labour Party (LP) has publicly distanced itself from its former spokesperson, Abayomi Arabambi, who is no longer a member of the party, after he initiated a lawsuit against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). This legal challenge centers on the academic credentials of Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). The party's decision to disown its former official highlights a significant internal divergence regarding actions taken in the public sphere.

The former spokesperson's legal action stems from an attempt to obtain a certified true copy of a specific academic document. This individual had formally requested certificate number D000198, which corresponds to a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. This degree was reportedly issued to Mr. Obi by UNN in 1984, and the request was made in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act.

Despite the formal request made under the FoI Act, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, reportedly declined to provide the requested certified true copy. This refusal ultimately led the former LP spokesperson to pursue legal avenues, seeking to compel the institution to release the document. The lawsuit, therefore, directly challenges UNN's compliance with information access legislation concerning a high-profile individual's academic records.

The core of the legal dispute involves the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, a crucial piece of legislation designed to ensure transparency and accountability from public institutions. This Act, which was signed into law in May 2011, empowers citizens to request access to public records, including academic credentials held by government-funded universities like UNN. The former Labour Party spokesperson leveraged this legal framework in an attempt to verify the details of Mr. Obi's degree.

The FoI Act mandates that public institutions respond to such requests within a specified timeframe, either by providing the information or by offering a legitimate reason for refusal, which can then be challenged in court. In this instance, the institution's refusal to furnish the certified true copy of the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy certificate, identified as number D000198 and issued in 1984, directly precipitated the lawsuit. The legal proceedings will likely examine whether UNN's refusal aligns with the stipulations and spirit of the FoI Act.

The Labour Party's decision to disown its former spokesperson in connection with the Peter Obi lawsuit over academic credentials carries significant implications for political discourse and public transparency. When a political party distances itself from an action taken by a former official, especially one related to the verification of a prominent member's background, it can signal internal disagreements or a strategic move to manage public perception.

This incident underscores the ongoing public interest in the academic and professional backgrounds of political figures, particularly in an era where scrutiny of credentials is heightened. The use of the Freedom of Information Act to pursue such details highlights the public's right to information and the mechanisms available to enforce that right. The outcome of this lawsuit, concerning the certified true copy of Mr. Obi's 1984 Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy certificate from UNN, could set precedents for how public institutions respond to FoI requests regarding the records of politically exposed persons.

Source: Original reporting via Premium Times Nigeria