Amid ongoing factional struggles within the Labour Party, the party’s factional National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, has stated that Peter Obi will not receive the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics, Arabambi insisted his faction is prepared to move forward without Obi, declaring, “We are going to do our 2027 without Peter Obi; he will not have our ticket.”
Arabambi also criticized the party’s acting National Chairperson, Nenadi Usman, and activist Aisha Yesufu, accusing them of colluding with Obi. He warned that his faction would take steps to remove them from the party.
Challenging Obi to clarify his political stance, Arabambi pointed out that the former presidential candidate appears divided among multiple parties: “Obi has one leg in Labour Party, one leg in PDP, and one leg in ADC. If he believes he can secure seven million votes in 2027 on his own, we advise him to formally leave Labour Party.”
Dismissing claims that Labour Party’s 2023 momentum was solely due to Obi, Arabambi credited the EndSARS movement and widespread dissatisfaction with the previous administration instead.
He said:
“Our plan is to remove these elements — people who represent political extremism. We don’t want them in Labour Party. Now that they say they are moving to ADC, we wish them well. Obi has one leg in Labour Party, one leg in PDP, and one leg in ADC.
If he believes he can secure seven million votes on his own in the 2027 elections, we advise him to announce his departure from Labour Party.
The momentum in 2023 wasn’t because of Peter Obi, but because of EndSARS. Obi was simply a figurehead who emerged from Nigeria’s frustration with the scandal-ridden Buhari administration during the EndSARS protests. He found Labour Party as the vehicle for change, and he was opportunely positioned to lead.”
