Peter Obi: “He must step aside from this president election because he only has 1% – Arabambi

Labour Party National Vice Chairman (South-West), Abayomi Arabambi, has called on the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to step aside from the 2027 presidential race, arguing that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stands a better chance of defeating President Bola Tinubu.

Arabambi made the remarks during an interview on SYMFONI, where he discussed the state of the opposition, the Labour Party’s internal crisis, and preparations for the next general election.

According to him, opposition parties should rally behind a candidate with the widest national appeal if they intend to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2027.

During the interview, Arabambi claimed that Obi’s electoral strength had diminished since the 2023 presidential election and argued that the former Anambra State governor no longer represents the strongest option for the opposition.

He stated, “He must step aside from this president election because he only has 1%.”

Arabambi insisted that Atiku possesses the political structure, nationwide support base and electoral experience needed to mount a serious challenge against President Tinubu.

He maintained that his position was not motivated by hostility toward Obi but by what he described as a realistic assessment of Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the next election.

The Labour Party chieftain also dismissed suggestions that criticizing Obi amounts to supporting the current administration, saying disagreement within the opposition should not be mistaken for loyalty to the ruling party.

Beyond the 2027 contest, Arabambi defended the leadership of Labour Party National Chairman Julius Abure, insisting that the party’s leadership dispute remains before the Supreme Court.

He expressed confidence that the apex court would reaffirm that issues relating to political party leadership are internal matters and uphold Abure’s position.

Arabambi further accused several elected Labour Party officials of abandoning the leadership that facilitated their emergence, alleging that many turned against the party hierarchy after securing electoral victories.

The interview also featured his account of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign, internal disagreements over campaign management, and his criticism of some party stakeholders whom he blamed for the crisis that followed the general election…See More