The crisis within the Labour Party (LP) deepened on Monday as its National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, declared that Peter Obi will not be handed the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
Arabambi made the statement during an interview on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics on Monday, September 8, 2025.
He argued that the LP is strong enough to exist without relying on Obi, who was its 2023 presidential flagbearer.
“We are going to do our 2027 without Peter Obi; he will not have our ticket,” Arabambi said bluntly.
He accused Obi of having divided loyalty, noting that the former Anambra State governor has aligned with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other leaders of the opposition coalition despite still holding on to the LP.
Arabambi also criticized the LP’s acting National Chairperson, Nenadi Usman, and activist Aisha Yesufu, alleging that they were working hand-in-hand with Obi.
He insisted that the party would purge such figures from its ranks.
“Our plan is to get rid of these elements people who are just an epitome of political extremism. We don’t want them in Labour Party,” Arabambi said.
He challenged Obi to openly declare his exit from the party rather than keeping what he described as “one leg in Labour Party, one leg in PDP, and one leg in ADC.”
Arabambi argued that Obi’s influence in 2023 was overstated, stressing that the momentum was fueled more by EndSARS activists and Nigerians’ frustration with Buhari’s administration than Obi’s personal political weight.
“The momentum in 2023 was not because of Peter Obi, but because of EndSARS. Obi only found Labour Party as the vehicle for change and was opportuned to lead,” Arabambi added.
The comments highlight growing cracks within the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 elections.
While Obi remains a prominent figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics, Arabambi’s statement suggests the party leadership is ready to move forward without him.
The Labour Party faces the challenge of either redefining its path without Obi or risking further division as coalition talks with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and factions of the PDP intensify.
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes remain on whether Obi will formally announce his departure from the LP or fight to retain his place within its structure.