A television interview involving Labour Party chieftain Abayomi Arabambi and journalist Rufai Oseni became heated on Wednesday as both men exchanged sharp words over Arabambi’s professional background, sources of funding and his continued criticism of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
The interview, aired on Nevon HQ, also referred to in clips as involving Black Box Media, covered several issues surrounding Arabambi’s allegations against Obi. These included claims that the former Anambra State governor intends to divide Nigeria, questions about certificates and qualifications, alleged links to IPOB ideology and the state of the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Arabambi spoke dismissively about the party’s presidential candidate and argued that “it is Yoruba’s turn”. He also defended his legal actions against Obi and other Labour Party figures.
The exchange became particularly tense when Oseni questioned Arabambi about his source of livelihood and how he finances the numerous court cases he has pursued.
“What do you do for a living?” Oseni asked.
Arabambi responded that he is an engineer and businessman. When Oseni asked him to identify a construction site or contract he had worked on and name his companies, Arabambi said he is “a rich man” and told the interviewer to “ask Peter Obi.”
He maintained that he had never asked Obi for hotel expenses or similar assistance and rejected suggestions that his activism was being funded by external sources.
Clips from the interview circulated widely on social media on Wednesday, with several users focusing on the exchange over Arabambi’s professional background. The encounter was described by viewers as confrontational, with both men raising their voices at different points.
Arabambi, who has held senior positions within the Labour Party, including National Publicity Secretary and South-West vice-chairman, has remained a vocal critic of Obi since the 2023 presidential election.
He has previously raised allegations concerning campaign funding and party administration and has taken legal action in connection with his claims. More recently, he demanded a public retraction and substantial damages from Obi over comments he described as defamatory.
Oseni, known for his assertive interviewing style on Arise News’ Morning Show and other platforms, continued to question Arabambi about the reasons behind his sustained legal and public campaigns.
The wider interview also examined political calculations ahead of 2027, the performance of the Bola Tinubu administration and ideological disagreements within the opposition.
Neither Arabambi nor representatives of Oseni had issued formal statements concerning the viral clips as of Wednesday evening.
The latest confrontation adds to a series of high-profile on-air exchanges involving Oseni in recent months, while also highlighting the divisions within Labour Party circles as political actors prepare for the 2027 electoral cycle.