Abayomi Arabambi, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), says
Peter Obi will be expelled from the party for joining the African Democratic
Congress (ADC) coalition.
Speaking on Tuesday during ‘The Morning Brief’, a programme
on Channels Television, Arabambi said the ex-Anambra governor has committed
anti-party activities and no longer has a place in the LP.
Arabambi was spokesperson of the Lamidi Apapa-led faction of
the LP.
His comments come in the wake of Obi’s attachment to the
ADC-led coalition, a political alliance he said is aimed at strengthening
democracy and building a new Nigeria.
Obi had said his decision to join the coalition was not made
lightly, adding that the move aligns with his vision of creating an inclusive
political alternative.
In reaction, the leadership of the Julius Abure-led LP
issued a 48-hour ultimatum, asking Obi to resign from the party for aligning
with the ADC coalition.
However, a faction of the party led by Nenadi Usman rejected
the ultimatum, insisting Obi’s involvement in the coalition does not warrant
such a demand.
Reacting to the internal divisions, Arabambi maintained that
the Abure-led national leadership remains the only recognised authority in the
party.
“We only have one leadership under Barrister Julius Abure as
the national chairman, and Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the national
secretary,” he said.
“Probably, the people you are referring to are those
associated with Nenadi Usman, whom Mr Peter Obi has graciously appointed as the
chairman of their yam festival committee.”
Arabambi said the LP has no provision for a caretaker
committee in name or practice.
“As of today, in our party — and according to our
constitution — we do not have anything like a ‘caretaker,’ even under that
name,” Arabambi said.
“Also, section 222 of the constitution is very clear:
political parties shall not be headed by any caretaker. Leaders must be duly
elected.
“So, our constitution aligns with the constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He described Obi’s move to the ADC coalition as
“unconstitutional”, saying the LP will soon convene a national executive
council (NEC) meeting to formally expel him.
“Let me make it very clear: we are convening a NEC meeting
where he will be expelled,” Arabambi said.
“You know, he was under suspension before he went ahead to
commit those anti-party activities. You don’t go and join another political
party and, at the same time, still claim to belong to your original party.
“It is unconstitutional for someone to be in two political
parties at the same time.”
Arabambi accused members of the ADC coalition of deceitfully
luring Obi.
“They have been able to deceive him to their side — and
there he shall remain,” he said.
“A NEC meeting will be called shortly where Obi will be
recommended for expulsion, and that will be confirmed finally at our
convention, in line with our constitution and the constitutions of most
political parties.
“Obi will be expelled from our party. He is no longer a
member of our party. It is not within his right to tell us that he still
belongs to the Labour Party while aligning himself with what we call a ‘Yahoo
Yahoo’ coalition.”
The LP chieftain also refuted claims that Obi brought
prominence to the party, stating that he was merely a “child of circumstance”.
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