The National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party (South-West), Comrade Abayomi Arabambi, has called on the Nigeria Democratic Party ‘s(ND) presidential candidate Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential election, alleging inconsistencies in the names appearing on the former Anambra State governor’s academic and official documents.
Speaking during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM’s Frontline programme on Monday, Arabambi alleged that Obi’s West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate bear different versions of his name, which he described as evidence of multiple identities.
Arabambi said he became aware of the alleged discrepancies after Obi emerged as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate during the party’s 2022 primary election in Asaba, Delta State.
According to him, he was actively involved in the process after the party’s then National Chairman, Julius Abure, asked him to persuade another aspirant, Oluwadare Fabiyi Joseph, to step down for Obi.
He claimed he later interacted directly with Obi while documentation for his candidacy was being processed and said questions about the former governor’s certificates resurfaced after the 2023 general election.
According to Arabambi, the candidate’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination form was completed in the name “Peter Gregory Obi,” while the WAEC certificate allegedly carried the name “Obi Gregory Onwubuasi.”
He further alleged that Obi’s University of Nigeria certificate bore a different arrangement of the names and that the NYSC discharge certificate contained yet another variation.
The Labour Party chieftain argued that a legal affidavit of change or alignment of name should support changes in the order or composition of names on official documents.
He maintained that the alleged inconsistencies raise legal questions that should be addressed.
Arabambi also questioned the academic qualifications used for Obi’s admission into the University of Nigeria, alleging that the WAEC result submitted did not meet the admission requirements for the Philosophy programme.
In addition, he expressed doubts over the issuance dates on both the university degree certificate and the NYSC discharge certificate, claiming they were dated on days when government offices would ordinarily not be expected to issue official documents.
He further alleged that the discrepancies extended to Obi’s identity records and suggested that the issues would form part of legal proceedings he intends to pursue.
Referring to previous remarks attributed to Obi, Arabambi said the NDC presidential candidate had publicly stated that he would withdraw from seeking public office if credible evidence of misconduct or impropriety was established against him.
He argued that the allegations he raised were sufficient grounds for Obi to reconsider his 2027 presidential ambition.
“I expected Obi, with what I have shown now, to step down from the 2027 presidential election,” Arabambi said.
He dismissed suggestions that his comments were politically motivated or sponsored by President Bola Tinubu or his administration, insisting he had no personal relationship with the president.
Peter Obi has not publicly responded to the allegations made by Arabambi during the interview.
