 in Ondo State has been thrown into a fresh crisis following the suspension of its governorship candidate in the November 16 off-cycle election, Olugbenga Edema, along with his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi, and another party chieftain, Israel Ayeni.){kind=link}
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ondo State has been thrown into a fresh crisis following the suspension of its governorship candidate in the November 16 off-cycle election, Olugbenga Edema, along with his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi, and another party chieftain, Israel Ayeni.
The suspension was announced on Monday after a meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) in Akure.
Addressing journalists, NNPP’s state chairman, Peter Olagookun, stated that the affected members were sanctioned for alleged anti-party activities and violations of the party’s constitution.
According to Olagookun, their infractions included initiating legal actions in the party’s name without consulting relevant stakeholders at both state and national levels, as well as failing to explore internal conflict resolution mechanisms before resorting to litigation.
He emphasized that such actions were in breach of the party’s guiding principles.
Efforts to obtain Edema’s reaction were unsuccessful.
However, an aide speaking on condition of anonymity dismissed the suspension, asserting that Edema had significantly elevated NNPP’s recognition in the state.
He hinted that the governorship candidate would formally respond at an appropriate time.
Edema, who contested under the NNPP banner, was defeated in the election by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).