Labour Party Disowns Arabambi Over Suit Challenging Peter Obi’s Academic Records

The Labour Party has distanced itself from Abayomi Arabambi, the man reportedly challenging the academic records of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi, insisting that he is no longer a member of the party and did not institute the case as its representative.
In a press release dated September 14, 2026, and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the Labour Party said it was compelled to respond after reports in mainstream newspapers described Arabambi as an “LP chieftain” in connection with a suit involving the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The party specifically cited headlines published by The Punch and Vanguard, which described Arabambi as an LP chieftain who had sued the three institutions over Obi’s credentials.
According to the Labour Party, however, such descriptions are inaccurate.
The party stated that Arabambi was among 25 members suspended by its National Executive Council (NEC) on March 18, 2026, over alleged infractions bordering on anti-party activities.
The suspension, the party said, was subsequently ratified by its National Convention on April 28, 2026, which it described as the highest decision-making organ of the party.
“Following the said ratification, the affected members ceased to be members of the Party,” the statement said, adding that no organ of the party had subsequently revisited or reversed the decision concerning the affected individuals.
The Labour Party therefore maintained that Arabambi “is not a member of the Labour Party and could not have instituted any action in court as a member of the Party.”
The clarification comes amid renewed attention to a legal action reportedly seeking access to or verification of Obi’s academic records from WAEC, NYSC and UNN.
The Labour Party, however, carefully separated its position on Arabambi’s membership status from the substance of the case itself.
It said it would not comment on the merits or otherwise of the litigant’s claims before the court, stressing that the statement was intended solely to clarify the alleged relationship between Arabambi and the party.
The party also warned that if Arabambi had represented himself publicly as an LP chieftain or authorised representative, such representation was unauthorised and could, prima facie, amount to impersonation.
The party said its lawyers were reviewing the matter and considering appropriate legal and other measures, including a possible petition to relevant law-enforcement authorities.
The development is politically significant because descriptions of Arabambi as an LP chieftain could create the impression that the Labour Party itself is sponsoring or backing the legal challenge against Obi.
The party’s latest statement seeks to draw a clear institutional line between itself and the litigant, while also making clear that its position should not be interpreted as an endorsement or rejection of the claims contained in the suit.
The Labour Party concluded by urging the media and the general public to take note of Arabambi’s current status and refrain from presenting him as a member or representative of the party.
The central message from the Labour Party is unequivocal: whatever the merits of the case against Obi, Arabambi is no longer authorised to speak or act on behalf of the Labour Party.