The Labour Party (LP) has distanced itself from Abayomi Arabambi following reports that he instituted legal actions seeking access to the academic and National Youth Service Corps records of Peter Obi.
The party said Arabambi is no longer a member of the Labour Party and therefore had no authority to institute any action or present himself as a representative of the organisation.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, following media reports describing Arabambi as an LP chieftain in connection with the suits.
Arabambi reportedly filed separate cases at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), seeking access to records relating to Obi’s academic qualifications and national service.
According to the Labour Party, Arabambi was among 25 members suspended by its National Executive Council on March 18, 2026, over alleged infractions bordering on anti-party activities.
The party said the suspension was subsequently ratified by its National Convention on April 28, 2026, adding that no organ of the party had reversed the decision.
Asogwa therefore maintained that Arabambi had ceased to be a member of the Labour Party before the legal actions were instituted.
The party consequently rejected descriptions of Arabambi as an LP chieftain in reports concerning the court cases, saying any attempt by him to present himself as a representative of the party was unauthorised.
The Labour Party also disclosed that its legal team was reviewing the matter to determine what further steps could be taken. The party said possible action could include a petition to relevant law enforcement authorities if it found that there had been an attempt to improperly represent the organisation.
However, the party was careful to separate its position on Arabambi’s membership status from the substance of the court cases involving Obi.
It said its statement should not be interpreted as an assessment of the merits or otherwise of the legal action, particularly because Obi is no longer a member of the Labour Party.
The controversy follows separate efforts by Arabambi to obtain official records concerning Obi’s educational and NYSC history.
Reports indicate that the suits involve requests for records from WAEC, UNN and NYSC. The NDC, Obi’s current political platform, has defended his academic credentials and said he has a verifiable educational background.
The NDC also acknowledged Arabambi’s right to seek judicial intervention but rejected suggestions that the suits established any wrongdoing by Obi.
The Labour Party’s latest statement is therefore focused primarily on clarifying Arabambi’s current relationship with the party rather than taking a position on the legal claims before the court.
The development comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Obi emerging as a major opposition figure and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
The Labour Party’s clarification could further shape the political debate surrounding the former Anambra State governor’s credentials as parties and candidates position themselves for the 2027 presidential contest.
