The Labour Party has described Abayomi Arabambi, who instituted a suit challenging the academic records of former presidential candidate Peter Obi, as a “clout chaser”, insisting that he is no longer a member of the party.
The party made the clarification on Monday following reports in some national newspapers describing Arabambi as a Labour Party chieftain after he reportedly sued the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) over Obi’s academic records.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the party said it initially refrained from responding to the reports because it did not want to “feed the desires of some clout chasers”.
It, however, said it was compelled to issue the clarification after the reports appeared in mainstream newspapers, including The Punch and Vanguard, with captions identifying Arabambi as an LP chieftain.
The party said: “The Labour Party wishes to notify the general public that Abayomi Arabambi is not a member of the Labour Party.”
According to the statement, Arabambi was among 25 members suspended by the party's National Executive Council (NEC) on March 18, 2026, over alleged infractions bordering on anti-party activities.
The suspension was subsequently ratified by the party's National Convention on April 28, 2026, after which the affected individuals ceased to be members of the party, it said.
The LP maintained that no organ of the party had subsequently revisited or reversed the decision concerning the affected members.
“It is therefore against this background that the Labour Party wishes to inform the general public, and particularly the media, 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, having long severed ties with the Labour Party,” the statement said.
The party also warned that any attempt by Arabambi to present himself as an LP chieftain or representative was unauthorised.
“If Abayomi Arabambi has presented himself to the public as a chieftain or representative of the Labour Party, the general public is hereby notified that such representation is entirely unauthorised and, prima facie, amounts to impersonation,” it said.
The party disclosed that its lawyers were reviewing the matter to determine possible legal and other actions, including a petition to relevant law enforcement authorities.
The LP, however, stressed that its statement was not intended to comment on the merits of Arabambi's case against Obi.
It said the clarification was solely aimed at correcting the impression that the litigant was acting as a representative or member of the Labour Party.
“Finally, the public is hereby notified that this press release is issued solely to clarify the alleged relationship between the litigant and the Labour Party and has no bearing whatsoever on the validity or otherwise of his claims against Mr. Peter Obi before the court,” the statement added.
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