The Labour Party (LP) has officially distanced itself from its former National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, following his recent legal action targeting the academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) records of Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
​In a statement issued on Monday, September 14, 2026, LP National Publicity Secretary Ken Eluma Asogwa declared that Arabambi is no longer a member of the party and lacks the authority to institute court cases on its behalf.
​The Labour Party clarified that Arabambi was among 25 members suspended by its National Executive Council (NEC) on March 18, 2026, for anti-party activities. The decision was subsequently ratified at the party’s National Convention on April 28, 2026, resulting in his complete expulsion.
​”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,” Asogwa stated.
“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.”
​Asogwa added that LP’s legal team is currently reviewing the matter for potential petitioning to law enforcement authorities.
​Filed through his legal representative, Anderson Asemota of Messrs Neplus Ultra Attorneys, at the Federal High Court in Abuja under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011, Arabambi’s separate suits seek orders of mandamus to compel public institutions to release certified copies of Obi’s credentials:
Suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2064/2026 (Filed Sept. 1, 2026): Targets the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) regarding WAEC Certificate No. SC042560.
Suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2063/2026 (Filed Sept. 1, 2026): Targets the NYSC over Discharge Certificate No. 203495.
Suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026 (Filed Sept. 9, 2026): Targets the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) regarding Certificate No. D000198 for a 1984 Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.
​According to court filings, WAEC formally rejected Arabambi’s FOI request on August 11, 2026, citing statutory exemptions under Section 14 of the FOI Act. Arabambi claims UNN and the NYSC failed to respond to his requests and follow-up reminders delivered on September 1, 2026.
​Reacting to the litigation, NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director dismissed the suits during an exclusive interview with The Press.
​”All we know is that our candidate has a verifiable academic pedigree. That is not in doubt,” Director noted, highlighting that Arabambi himself admitted he is not alleging forgery. “It is his constitutional right to go to court to ask for anything he so desires, but our candidate has nothing to hide.”
