By Divine Sam
The Labour Party has revealed plans to formally expel its 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, over allegations of anti-party activities and dual political allegiance.
This development was disclosed during an interview on Channels Television by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi. He stated that the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) would soon convene a meeting to initiate Obi’s expulsion process, which would then be ratified at the party’s next national convention.
“We are convening a NEC meeting where Peter Obi will be recommended for expulsion,” Arabambi said. “He had earlier been suspended, but his continued engagement in anti-party activities necessitates this step. Our constitution, like that of most parties, does not permit dual party membership.”
Arabambi accused Obi of aligning with a rival political movement and participating in activities outside the Labour Party’s official structure. “He cannot claim to be a member of the Labour Party while openly associating with another political group we describe as a ‘yahoo yahoo coalition,’” he added.
Obi, who secured over 6.1 million votes in the 2023 presidential election and came in third, is reportedly aligned with a Labour Party faction led by Senator Usman Nenadi. This group also includes Governor Alex Otti and other key figures.
In contrast, Arabambi’s faction, headed by Julius Abure, maintains control of the party’s official secretariat and has previously suspended Governor Otti, Senators Ireti Kingibe, and Darlington Nwokocha for similar anti-party conduct.
Arabambi concluded that Obi’s fate would be determined in accordance with the party’s constitution. “It is not within his right to declare himself a member of the Labour Party while operating outside its legal framework. The convention will make the final decision,” he said.
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