Why I dumped NNPP- Olugbenga Edema, Ondo guber candidate

DAMISI OJO, Akure

For alleged leadership betrayal, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) governorship candidate for the November 16,2024, election in Ondo State, Olugbenga Edema, a lawyer, has resigned from the party

He said his decision was hinged on the dismissal of a suit he filed to challenge the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary that produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the party’s candidate.

The duo of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Akure struct the case after the NNPP co-plaintiff in the suit unexpectedly withdrew from the case.

The courts emphasized that the withdrawal rendered the suit impotent and ordered the plaintiff to pay a fine of N1 million to each of the defendants.

On what he termed constitutional grounds, Edema had earlier asked the court to mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the nomination and publication of Governor Aiyedatiwa and his deputy as APC candidates.

Edema in a letter of resignation made available to reporters in Akure said that in his almost 40 years in politics,he had never seen a more disorganized party like NNPP

The letter reads: “Since joining the party in June 2024, NNPP has been characterized by internal wranglings and rancour that have stunted its growth. This is unhealthy for any party serious about winning elections.”

“The leadership of the NNPP frustrated my court case by withdrawing from it in favour of the APC. This is a betrayal. Clearly, the party’s objective is not aligned with the values of any serious political organisation.”

The letter was addressed to the NNPP Chairman in Mahin Ward 11, Ilaje Local Government Area.

His resignation took effect on May 9, 2025.

Edema was shortly before the last year Governorship poll in Ondo state,a formidable leader in the APC who contested the party primary against Governor Aiyedatiwa.

He quit the ruling party when he failed to clinch the Governorship ticket and picked the ticket of the NNPP as candidate, but was defeated by the incumbent Governor.