ABUJA, NG — July 9, 2025 | IDNN Political Desk
The Labour Party (LP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to former presidential candidate Peter Obi, demanding that he resign from the party over his involvement in the recently launched opposition coalition. If he fails to do so, the party says, he will face immediate expulsion.
The warning was delivered by Abayomi Arabambi, National Publicity Secretary of the Julius Abure-led faction, during a fiery a recent interview on Channels TV
“Let me make it very clear: Peter Obi will be expelled. It is unconstitutional for anyone to belong to two political platforms simultaneously,” Arabambi declared.
He accused Obi of betraying the Labour Party by aligning with the new coalition, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its umbrella platform.
“They’ve deceived him to their side—and there he shall remain,” Arabambi said, branding the coalition a “Yahoo Yahoo” alliance filled with political opportunists.
Party Crisis Deepens
The internal rift within Labour Party has reached boiling point since the unveiling of the ADC-led coalition, attended by opposition heavyweights like Atiku Abubakar, Rauf Aregbesola, David Mark, and Obi himself.
Arabambi alleged that Obi had abandoned party principles and was now operating independently, thereby forfeiting his rights as an LP member.
“He’s hobnobbing with a group that has no constitutional backing within our party. That’s not acceptable,” he said.
In an even more scathing tone, Arabambi challenged Obi’s public image:
“I want to correct a very wrong notion—Obi did not make the Labour Party; the Labour Party made Peter Obi. It was a chance of circumstance driven by #EndSARS and the failure of past administrations.”
NEC to Decide Obi’s Fate
Arabambi revealed that a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting is being convened specifically to ratify Obi’s expulsion, pending his failure to resign voluntarily.
He also insisted there is only one recognised Labour Party leadership, under Julius Abure, dismissing any claims of internal factions.
Dual Loyalty or Coalition Politics?
The controversy has raised broader constitutional questions about dual political affiliations and Nigeria’s opposition strategy ahead of 2027.
While Obi has not officially responded to the ultimatum, sources close to his camp suggest that he remains committed to a united front against the APC, regardless of party tensions.
Meanwhile, Labour Party’s Obiora Ifoh echoed Arabambi’s stance in a separate statement:
“Labour Party is not part of the coalition. Any member associating with it must resign within 48 hours.”
Ifoh added that the party would not tolerate “dual agendas or deceptive personas,” as it prepares to reorganize ahead of the general election.
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