“Obi Is Synonymous With Corruption” – Abure-Led Labour Party Faction Declares, Says Party Didn’t Win 2023 Election

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has launched a scathing attack on former presidential candidate Peter Obi, accusing him of surrounding himself with corrupt individuals and using the party platform to foment unrest in Nigeria. Speaking in an interview with NewsCentral TV, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, dismissed ongoing claims by Obi’s supporters that the Labour Party won the 2023 presidential election.

Arabambi alleged that Obi’s political alliances reflect a pattern of association with individuals facing corruption allegations, citing the inclusion of Nenadi Usman, who he claimed has a pending case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission since 2015. “Obi is synonymous with moving with people that have corruption,” Arabambi declared, while also criticizing the former candidate for allegedly using nationalist rhetoric to mask what he called “plans to set Nigeria ablaze.”

He accused Obi and his allies of exploiting the party for personal political agendas, adding, “They say they are nationalists, but they are nothing but intruders — people that just want to set Nigeria ablaze. That is their plan. Peter Obi and others, they don’t love Nigeria. We know them. They needed the platform to unleash terror for political insurrection.”

Arabambi also denied allegations that the party was rigged out in the 2023 general election, stating instead that internal mismanagement led to the party’s loss. “They are saying they were rigged in the 2023 election, but I am saying to Nigerians via your station that we were not rigged. The people that Peter Obi trusted messed up that election for us,” he said.

The comments follow recent internal turmoil within the Labour Party, as the Abure-led faction announced the suspension of several high-profile members, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe, and Senator Darlighton Nwokocha. The suspensions were based on findings from a Disciplinary Committee formed by the faction’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which cited alleged anti-party activities.

Also suspended were Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi. Arabambi questioned the legitimacy of actions taken by Obi and Otti within the party, including their reported correspondence with the Independent National Electoral Commission, insisting such actions were unconstitutional and lacked legal standing.