The Ondo State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has suspended its governorship candidate, Olugbenga Edema, and his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi, indefinitely over alleged violations of the party’s constitution. The party also suspended a chieftain, Israel Ayeni, citing similar allegations.
The suspension was announced in a statement signed by 12 members of the State Working Committee, led by Chairman Peter Olagookun. According to the statement, the trio were suspended during a State Working Committee meeting held in Akure on Monday.
Reacting to the development, state Secretary Comrade Adekunle Oluwayomi emphasized the importance of respecting the party’s constitution. “Nobody would be allowed to use the party’s name recklessly,” he stated.
However, Edema denied knowledge of the suspension, questioning the legitimacy of the action. He argued that only his ward, not the state chapter, has the authority to suspend him. Edema is currently involved in a court case against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, seeking to compel INEC to remove Aiyedatiwa and his running mate from the list of candidates who contested the election.
