The Labour Party (LP) has declared that its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will not be given the party’s ticket for the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, made this known on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics.
We are going to do our 2027 without Peter Obi; he will not have our ticket,” Arabambi said, while stressing that the party’s momentum in the last election was not solely because of Obi but largely driven by the EndSARS movement and widespread discontent with the former president Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Arabambi also accused the LP’s acting National Chairperson, Nenadi Usman, and activist, Aisha Yesufu, of colluding with Obi, adding that the party would take steps to expel them. He further challenged Obi to openly announce his departure from the party.
Obi has one leg in Labour Party, one leg in PDP, and one leg in ADC. If he believes he has the proficiency on his own to have seven million votes in 2027, we advise him to pronounce his departure from Labour Party,” he added
Obi, who came third in the 2023 presidential election, has publicly backed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) but has yet to formally defect to the coalition platform.
Obasempire reports that the National Working Committee of the Labour Party, headed by Julius Abure, has urged the National Security Adviser and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to probe Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and Afenifere leaders for alleged misappropriation of funds from the 2023 presidential campaign.
This appeal was made by the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, during a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday.
Arabambi voiced concern over recent remarks by Yesufu, who defended herself against claims of involvement in the alleged mismanagement of 2023 campaign funds.
The party accuses Yesufu, Pastor Ighodalo, and other collaborators of mishandling and diverting over N12bn and $15m in donations meant for the Labour Party’s campaign.
Arabambi dismissed Yesufu’s denials as attempts to conceal the purported financial wrongdoing and criticized her statements as an affront to the party’s leadership.
He also charged Yesufu and her associates with operating under Obi’s influence, labeling him a “political merchant” intent on defrauding the party.
Furthermore, Arabambi implicated Afenifere leaders, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni, accusing them of holding over N600m in private accounts associated with Afenifere.
He alleged that these individuals were employed by Obi to commit fraud and siphon funds from the Labour Party’s presidential campaign.
“The trio of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni were involved in financial infractions totaling over ₦600m, which they have kept in private accounts and Afenifere accounts,” Arabambi stated. “Peter Obi allegedly hired Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, and this faction of Afenifere to commit looting, criminal conspiracy, and diversion of funds from the Labour Party’s presidential campaign while presenting themselves as elder statesmen.”
Arabambi highlighted the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability and called for an investigation into all bank accounts associated with the alleged misconduct.
He urged a thorough investigation into the accounts linked to Adebanjo, Osuntokun, and Ebiseni to ascertain the extent of Afenifere’s involvement in the alleged fraud.
The National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Dr. Yunisa Tanko, described the allegations as baseless and false.
“The allegations are unfounded. I was present when Aisha Yesufu provided the audited account of the presidential campaign fund, and the truth is that no money is missing from the Labour Party’s accounts,” Dr. Tanko stated in a phone conversation with our correspondent.
The Deputy Leader of Afenifere, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, when contacted, said he was not familiar with the allegations. “I have just seen the lengthy press statement you are referring to. I have not read it, but if Afenifere needs to respond later, we will certainly do so,” Olaitan said.
Obasempire reports that Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign council, has left the party.
Okonkwo stated that he chose to depart after the party’s former presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, was unable to resolve the party’s internal issues.
“I no longer have the confidence that PO has what it takes to build a party that can win these kakistocrats and kleptocrats, and above all, he has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate,” Okonkwo said in a statement he shared on his X account.
Obasempire reports that in a recent development, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos state for 2023 election has voiced his reservations about the party’s choice for the presidential candidacy, Peter Obi, asserting that Obi does not align with the kind of politician Nigerians require.
Rhodes-Vivour conveyed this sentiment during an appearance on the Honest Bunch Podcast.
In a snippet circulated across online platforms, the LP stalwart indicated that the former Governor of Anambra State might possess the qualities of a leader Nigeria requires; however, he falls short of embodying the quintessential politician. “we need for us”.
He said, “Peter Obi is the leader that we need for Nigeria, but not the politician we need for us.”
Rhodes-Vivour also insisted, “Peter (Obi) does not buy votes. He won Lagos without buying votes.”
