By Peace Udugba
Factional National Vice Chairman (South West) of the Labour Party, Comrade Abayomi Arabambi, has called on the party’s 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to step aside and clear his name over alleged discrepancies in his academic credentials, saying Nigerians deserve transparency from anyone seeking the country’s highest office.
Arabambi made the call on Wednesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, following renewed controversy over Obi’s educational records after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published candidates’ particulars.
The controversy centres on variations in the arrangement and inclusion of Obi’s names across documents submitted to INEC. While Obi listed his educational history, including Augustine’s Primary School, Christ the King College and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), critics have questioned differences in the names appearing on his university degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
Speaking during the programme, Arabambi argued that the alleged inconsistencies raise serious questions that should be addressed before Obi continues his political engagements.
“Obi should not think we are fools in Nigeria. Such a person should step aside to clear his name first. He should stop granting interviews,” he said.
Arabambi alleged that the names appearing across Obi’s academic documents do not present a uniform identity and insisted that the former Anambra State governor should provide an explanation for the variations.
“When you see all his certificates, you know that something is fishy and that this man has all manner of different identities. But the only identity I know is the one he wrote with his own hand that his name is Peter Gregory Obi. Every other certificate he attached does not correspond with his name,” he alleged.
He further argued that any legitimate change of name should be supported by the necessary legal documentation.
“If there’s any change of name, there has to be a corresponding affidavit of change of name,” he said, alleging that no such document accompanied the records submitted to INEC.
Arabambi disclosed that he had written to the NYSC, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), seeking verification of the documents. He also claimed to have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police Force over the matter.
According to him, he intends to institute legal proceedings if the agencies fail to respond to his requests.
He also questioned the dates appearing on some of the certificates, particularly Obi’s NYSC certificate, which he claimed was issued on May 1, a public holiday, and called on the relevant institutions to explain the documents.
Arabambi maintained that his planned legal action is not a pre-election matter but a criminal complaint.
“I know what a pre-election matter is and I am not going through that route. When you commit perjury, it’s a criminal matter,” he said.
The Labour Party chieftain also questioned the names appearing on Obi’s NYSC certificate, insisting that the variations should be fully explained. He further alleged that individuals from Obi’s community had supplied information supporting his claims and accused the former governor of failing to publicly address the allegations.
Arabambi also alleged that some of the academic documents submitted to INEC did not belong to Obi, although he did not present evidence during the interview to substantiate the claim.
As of the time of filing this report, Peter Obi had not publicly responded to the allegations made by Arabambi.
