The Ondo State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has suspended its governorship candidate in the November 16 election, Olugbenga Edema, and his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi, over alleged violations of the party’s constitution. A chieftain of the party, Israel Ayeni, was also suspended for similar reasons.
This announcement was made in a statement signed by 12 members of the State Working Committee (SWC), led by chairman Peter Olagookun, and released to PUNCH Online on Tuesday. According to the statement, the suspensions were finalized during the SWC meeting held in Akure on Monday.
The statement read: “We, the State Working Committee of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ondo State chapter hereby announce the indefinite suspension of the following party members: Hon. Olugbenga Edema, the Governorship Candidate in the just concluded Ondo State Governorship Election; Barrister Rotimi Adeyemi, the Deputy Governorship Candidate; and Mr. Israel Oluwatosin Ayeni.”
The party outlined three grounds for the suspensions: the trio’s alleged use of the party’s name without proper consultation with state and national stakeholders, taking legal action against the party without exhausting internal dispute resolution mechanisms, and engaging in activities deemed detrimental to the party.
Comrade Adekunle Oluwayomi, the state secretary of the party, emphasized the importance of adhering to the party’s constitution, stating, “Nobody would be allowed to use the party’s name recklessly.”
However, Edema has denied any knowledge of the suspension. He expressed his disbelief and questioned the fairness of the process. “I am not aware of any suspension, and if they allege that I violated the party’s constitution, which panel have they asked me to face for a fair hearing?” he said. “The state can’t suspend me; it is the ward that has the power to suspend me. I know it is because of my case in court against Governor Aiyedatiwa that they are doing this, but all of them will fail.”
Edema’s ongoing case at the Federal High Court seeks to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his running mate, Olayide Adelami, from the list of candidates in the election. Edema has also requested the court to interpret the application of Section 15 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of Nigeria regarding the nomination of the APC candidate. The defendants in the case include INEC, the APC, Aiyedatiwa, and Adelami.
