Labour Party chieftain demands retraction and public apology over “no address” remark, warns of legal showdown if ignored

Comrade Abayomi Arabambi, the South West Chairman and National Vice Chairman (South West) of the Labour Party (LP), has issued a seven-day ultimatum to former presidential candidate Peter Obi, demanding a public retraction, apology, and ₦50 billion in damages over an alleged defamatory statement.

The demand is contained in a 13-page pre-action letter dated July 3, 2026, authored by Neplus Ultra Attorneys on Arabambi’s behalf and addressed to Obi at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Secretariat in Abuja.

At the centre of the dispute are remarks Obi allegedly made during an interview on the Nevon Media Podcast. When asked why he had not taken legal action against Arabambi, Obi reportedly responded that the Labour Party chieftain “does not have an address.”

Arabambi’s legal team described the comment as “false, malicious, and defamatory,” insisting that their client is a recognised public figure with verifiable residential and business addresses in Nigeria. They argued that the statement portrayed him as “faceless and unidentifiable,” thereby undermining his credibility and public standing.

According to the lawyers, the interview reached a vast audience and was widely disseminated across television and social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, WhatsApp, and various online news outlets—amplifying the alleged reputational damage.

“Our client has long maintained known residential and business addresses and is actively engaged in professional and political activities within Nigeria. At no time has he been a person of unknown identity or whereabouts,” the letter stated.

The legal team further argued that an average viewer would interpret Obi’s remark to mean that Arabambi lacks a known place of residence, legitimacy in public life, and credibility—an implication they say has exposed him to ridicule and diminished his standing.

They accused Obi, now a leading figure in the NDC, of acting recklessly and with malice, noting that he ought to have considered the impact of such a statement during a widely viewed political interview.

“Our client has suffered embarrassment, humiliation, and reputational harm. The publication has weakened his political and social standing and subjected him to unwarranted attacks on his integrity,” the letter added.

As part of the demands, Arabambi is seeking an unequivocal retraction of the statement on the Nevon Media Podcast or a similarly prominent national platform. He is also demanding a full public apology to be broadcast on national television, published across Obi’s verified social media platforms, and printed as full-page advertisements in major national dailies, including The Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian, THISDAY, and The Nation.

In addition, the letter demands ₦50 billion in compensation for alleged damage to Arabambi’s reputation, dignity, political standing, and public image.

Obi has also been instructed to preserve all materials related to the interview—including recordings, transcripts, and social media posts—with a warning that any tampering or destruction could be used against him in court.

The letter concludes with a warning that failure to comply within seven days will trigger legal proceedings seeking a declaration of defamation, general and exemplary damages, a perpetual injunction against further similar statements, and recovery of legal costs.