Abayomi Arabambi, the National Publicity Secretary associated with the Lamidi Apapa-led faction, has leveled serious allegations against Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate for 2023, accusing him of planning to purchase a private jet and misrepresenting the party’s campaign finances. In a revealing interview with Arise News TV, Arabambi claimed that despite Obi’s public criticism of Nigerian leaders for their use of private jets, the former Anambra State governor has been frequently flying in such jets since the conclusion of the 2023 elections, raising questions about the source of his funding.
Further complicating the party’s internal dynamics, Arabambi accused Obi of attempting to regionalize the Labour Party by aligning with other South-Eastern members and the party’s embattled national chairman, Julius Abure. He highlighted that the Labour Party had received substantial financial support from the diaspora, amounting to $15 million, which was reportedly deposited at Fidelity Bank. Arabambi criticized Obi’s transparency regarding these funds, suggesting a discrepancy in Obi’s account of the party’s campaign expenditures.
Arabambi’s concerns extended beyond financial matters, touching upon what he perceives as Obi’s lack of managerial expertise, which he believes has led to discord within the Labour Party. He called for a collective approach to resolving the party’s crisis, emphasizing the importance of treating all stakeholders equally and avoiding ethnic favoritism.
The allegation that Obi and Abure are attempting to “Anambralize, Imonize, and Abianize” the Labour Party has added another layer of tension, with Arabambi insisting that the dispute is not about financial gain but rather about preventing the party from being dominated by specific regional interests.
As the Labour Party navigates these accusations and internal conflicts, the focus remains on how it will address these challenges and move forward, especially with an eye towards the 2027 elections. Arabambi’s call for inclusive leadership and avoidance of inter-ethnic strife underscores the complex interplay of politics, ethnicity, and governance within Nigerian political parties.