By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The National Vice Chairman, South-west of the Julius Abure-led factional National Executive Committee, NEC, of the Labour Party, LP, Abayomi Arabambi has issued a 7-day ultimatum to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, to retract and tender unreserved apology over an alleged defamatory remarks, or face legal action.
In addition, Arabambi is demanding for the whopping sum of N50 billion representing damages done to his public image by Obi’s alleged defamatory statement.
In a pre-action notice dated July 3 ,2026 , issued by Anderson U Asemota ,Peter O Asimegbe and Stanley C Eziefule, his legal team, Arabambi alleged that Obi, in the course of a recent interview on podcast refered to him as ” having no address” a statement he deemed not only false and malicious, but also defamatory.
According to the LP chieftain , Obi’s alleged comment portrayed him as a faceless individual, with no identifiable means of livelihood, residence, and legitimate standing in society.
He expressed serious concern that the NDC Presidential Candidate’s description of him, has considerably injured his reputation, public image, as well as exposed him to public ridicule.
He emphasized that Obi’s comments in the said interview gained traction , with several media platforms , television stations and other digital platforms , including Facebook ,X ( formally Twitter) , Instagram ,Tik Tok ,and Whatsapp feasting on the alleged offensive and defamatory statement .
Arabambi contended that such widespread circulation of the said defamatory interview has significantly impacted negatively his reputation , and lowered his estimation before the public.
The LP factional National Vice-chairman in the pre-action notice noted that contrary to Obi’s remarks , he has been known to be legitimately involved in business and political activities,as well as other human endeavours .
“Our client has had a known residential and business address , maintains professional and political affiliations within Nigeria ,and has never been a person whose whereabouts or identity were unknown”.
According to Arabambi ,the natural interpretation of Obi’s remarks by members of the public is that he lacks legitimacy ,has no known place of residence ,no visible means of livelihood ,and undeserving of public confidence.
He maintained that subsequent reactions from the members of public clearly suggested that not a few interpreted ,and perceived the alleged defamatory remarks as an assault on his identity , credibility and political trajectories.
Arabambi argued that both expressed and implied malice could be deduced from the circumstances surrounding the said remark , noting that Obi as a prominent political figure ,and presidential candidate is obligated to exercise caution in his public comments,more so when he is aware of the wide audience his remarks will attract.
“Our client has suffered considerable embarrassment , humiliation and injury to his reputation. This defamatory publication has impaired his standing in political and social circles ,and subjected him to needless attacks on his integrity and personality.”, Arabambi’s lawyers added.
Consequently, the LP chieftain gave a seven-day dateline within which ,the NDC presidential candidate is to issue what he described as ” a clear, unequivocal ,and unconstitutional retraction of the alleged defamatory remarks ,on the same podcast, or through other credible platforms with a similar wide audience reach .
Specifically, Arabambi demanded that the public apology be published ,and or aired on national television , Obi’s verified social media accounts ,as well as in national newspapers , including Vanguard ,The Punch ,The Guardian ,ThisDay ,and The Nation.
Obi , according to the LP chieftain is to pay N50 billion as example and collateral damages for the severe harm done to his reputation , political and public standing by the said interview.
Similarly, Arabambi demanded for a written undertaking from Obi ,to the effect that he would refrain from making any further alleged defamatory statements against him .
This is he warned that his legal representatives will be left with no other option than to institute legal proceedings , should Obi fail to comply with his modest demands .
The source reports that the development is coming on the heels of Obi’s similar action against his eirstwhile spokesperson and Nollywood star- turned politician , Kenneth Okonkwo..
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