The Labour Party’s choice of Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in 2023 was a major mistake, according to the party’s national publicity secretary, Abayomi Arabambi.
Arabambi noted that Obi’s recent comments about Nigeria’s economy during a Channels TV interview were misleading. He alleged that Obi wrongly converted Nigeria’s foreign debt, which is in U.S. dollars, into naira using a high exchange rate to make the debt look worse than it actually is.
He claimed that, “The truth is that Nigeria’s external debt has decreased under Tinubu, from $108.2 billion to $94.2 billion, a fact Obi conveniently ignored.”
Arabambi stressed that the mission of Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, another party member, has remained consistent. He described Faduri’s political journey as one focused on rescuing Nigeria from deep-rooted corruption, inefficiency, and poor leadership.
He added, “The Labour Party’s decision to sideline Faduri for Obi was a blunder with lasting consequences. Instead of a leader with depth, discipline, and a demonstrable blueprint for national renewal, Nigeria got a populist whose greatest skill is telling people what they want to hear.”
According to Arabambi, Nigeria cannot afford to repeat the same mistake in 2027. He called for leaders who are ready to face the real issues and not just chase popularity with sweet words.
“The 2027 election must not repeat this error. Nigeria needs leaders like Faduri Oluwadare Joseph—men and women who understand that governance is not about slogans, but about substance, sacrifice, and systemic change,” he stated.
He also criticized the newly formed ADC coalition led by David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Nasir El-Rufai. He advised them to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and support President Bola Tinubu to correct the wrongs created under the previous administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking on Peter Obi’s involvement in the new ADC coalition, Arabambi said, “Yes Obi was there when David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola were inaugurated as the leaders of the ADC coalition.
“He was properly introduced as the leader of the Labour Party that came to support the coalition. We are not in support of that, so as far as we are concerned, we wish him well, he’s no longer part of the Labour Party.”
Arabambi further revealed that moves are underway to expel Obi from the party. “Plans are ongoing to expel him already. In our next NEC meeting, Peter Obi will be expelled alongside his other co-travellers,” he concluded.
