nenadi Usman
The Labour Party (LP) has officially disowned Abayomi Arabambi, declaring that he is no longer a member of the party and cannot claim to represent it in any capacity.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 14, 2026, by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the party reacted to media reports that described Arabambi as an “LP chieftain” in connection with a lawsuit seeking the academic and service records of Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the party who has since left.
Arabambi reportedly filed separate suits against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), seeking disclosure of Obi’s records under the Freedom of Information Act.
The Labour Party stated that it would not comment on the merits of the legal action itself, particularly because Obi is no longer a member of the party. It stressed, however, that Arabambi had long ceased to belong to its fold and therefore could not institute any action as an LP member or chieftain.
According to the statement, the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) suspended 25 members, including Arabambi, on March 18, 2026, over alleged infractions bordering on anti-party activities. The suspension was subsequently ratified by the National Convention, the party’s highest decision-making organ, on April 28, 2026.
“Following the said ratification, the affected members ceased to be members of the party,” Asogwa said. He added that no organ of the Labour Party has since revisited or reversed the decision.
“The Labour Party wishes to notify the general public that Abayomi 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 statement declared.
The party further warned that any representation by Arabambi as a chieftain or authorised representative of the Labour Party is “entirely unauthorised and, prima facie, amounts to impersonation.” It disclosed that its lawyers are reviewing the matter with a view to possible legal steps, including a petition to relevant law enforcement authorities.
Arabambi previously served as acting National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party until around late 2022 and later held positions in one of the factions that emerged during the party’s prolonged leadership crisis. The Independent National Electoral Commission eventually recognised the National Working Committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman as the authentic leadership of the party.
The latest clarification comes amid ongoing internal tensions within the Labour Party as the political landscape shifts ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party urged the public and the media to disregard any claims linking Arabambi to its current membership or official positions.
The statement underscores the Labour Party’s effort to assert control over its public image and membership status following years of factional disputes.
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