The factional Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi, has said that the party made a mistake by selecting Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, instead of Faduri Joseph, a US-licensed nurse and respected entrepreneur.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday, Arabambi stated that the choice of Obi was driven by political expediency rather than principle, calling it a serious misjudgment and a betrayal of Nigeria’s desire for genuine change.
According to him, Obi’s political appeal is based on emotional rhetoric and overly simplified solutions, whereas Faduri Joseph represents a leadership style anchored in accountability, transparency, and the disciplined governance Nigeria requires to overcome its deep-seated challenges.
He added that Obi’s support for the African Democratic Congress coalition, led by figures such as David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Nasir El-Rufai, has prompted plans for his expulsion from the Labour Party.
Arabambi explained that the 2023 campaign abandoned a qualified and nationally accepted candidate in Faduri Joseph for a figure whose movement became clouded by ethnic sentiments. He accused Obi of failing to distance himself from secessionist rhetoric, displaying selective concern on security issues, and addressing national matters through a partisan and sometimes divisive lens.
He said, “Perhaps the most damning indictment of Obi’s candidacy is the ethnic polarisation that surrounded his campaign. While Faduri stood as a truly national figure, Obi’s movement became, intentionally or not, a vehicle for tribal sentiment. His refusal to firmly denounce Kanu’s secessionist rhetoric, his selective outrage over insecurity, and his tendency to view national issues through a narrow lens exposed a concerning parochialism beneath his so-called unifying posture.”
Arabambi stressed that Nigeria needs a leader who will uphold the rule of law while addressing legitimate grievances — not one who tolerates extremism for political advantage. He argued that Faduri Joseph demonstrated the qualities that Peter Obi failed to show.
He also criticised Obi’s economic commentary, referencing a recent interview on Channels Television where Obi allegedly misrepresented Nigeria’s external debt figures by applying inflated exchange rates to dollar-denominated debts. Arabambi claimed that contrary to Obi’s assertions, the country’s external debt has decreased under President Bola Tinubu, dropping from \$108.2 billion to \$94.2 billion.
He insisted that Faduri’s vision in 2023, which remains unchanged, is about rescuing Nigeria from corruption, inefficiency, and systemic failure. According to Arabambi, the Labour Party’s decision to favour Obi over Faduri cost the country an opportunity for real transformation.
He said, “The Labour Party’s decision to sideline Faduri for Obi was a blunder with lasting consequences. Instead of choosing a leader with discipline, vision, and a practical roadmap for national renewal, the party handed the platform to a populist who thrives on telling people what they want to hear.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 election, Arabambi urged Nigerians not to repeat the same mistake. He called for support for candidates like Faduri Joseph, who prioritize substance, sacrifice, and systemic change over slogans.
Arabambi also criticised the ADC coalition, led by David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Nasir El-Rufai, encouraging them to return to their former party, the APC, and work with President Tinubu to repair the damage caused by the 2015 election of Muhammadu Buhari.
Regarding Obi’s involvement in the ADC coalition, he confirmed, “Yes, Obi was present when David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola were inaugurated as leaders of the ADC coalition. He was introduced as the leader of the Labour Party in support of the coalition. We do not support that. As far as we are concerned, he is no longer part of the Labour Party.”
He concluded by stating that plans are already in motion to expel Peter Obi and his associates from the party at the next National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
