Apapa Faction Claims Discrepancies in Obi’s Certificates

The Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the Labour Party has raised concerns regarding alleged discrepancies in the academic credentials of their presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

This claim was articulated by Abayomi Arabambi, the spokesperson for the LP faction, during an interview on AIT News on Thursday. The timing of this revelation coincides with the ongoing controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate.

On the previous day, Obi had publicly challenged Tinubu to disclose his true identity to the Nigerian public during a press conference. However, Arabambi argued during the television program that it would be unjust for the LP candidate to accuse Tinubu of inconsistencies in academic qualifications when he, too, has similar issues.

Arabambi, who was part of the panel that vetted Obi before the party’s presidential primary, asserted that the name on the academic certificate Obi obtained from the University of Nigeria in Nsukka contradicts the name on his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.

He stated, “I was part of the people who conducted the screening for him. In the EC9 form we provided, he claimed to have attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and completed his youth service. Unfortunately, in the final submission of the form, he only presented his school certificate. So, something appears suspicious, and it is noteworthy that the name the university sent for NYSC mobilization was different from what was recorded on his NYSC certificate.”

Arabambi continued, “We, in the Labour Party, are uncertain about Peter Obi’s true identity even to this day, as everything was enveloped in secrecy at the time in Asaba. We were under time constraints due to our impending presidential primary, which is why this matter went unchecked. However, we have official records indicating that the names on Obi’s NYSC certificate and his University of Nigeria, Nsukka, certificate do not match.”

In response to these allegations, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, refuted the claims and characterized Arabambi as a disloyal member of the party. Ifoh contended that Arabambi was attempting to sow discord within the party at the behest of undisclosed individuals.

Ifoh stated, “Arabambi should pursue other endeavors. Our candidate, Peter Gregory Obi, is a well-known figure with documented details of his parentage, birth, educational history, and public service record that have never been disputed. As he publicly stated yesterday (Wednesday), many of his peers from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, are alive and even hold prominent positions within the university’s administration. This information can be verified. Obi’s certificates are readily available for scrutiny by any concerned Nigerian.”

Ifoh concluded, “Arabambi is evidently advancing the agenda of his benefactors who are keen on undermining our party. We challenge Arabambi’s principal to do the same and prevent any further embarrassment to our nation.”