NNPP Suspends Gov Candidate, Others Indefinitely
The governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party in the November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo State, Olugbenga Edema, and his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi, have been suspended by the party over alleged violations of the party’s constitution.
The party also suspended a chieftain, Israel Ayeni, citing similar allegations.
Their suspension was contained in a statement signed by 12 members of the State Working Committee, led by the chairman, Peter Olagookun.
According to the statement, the trio were suspended during the State Working Committee 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 announced the suspension indefinitely 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. Isreal Oluwatosin Ayeni.”
The party explained that the SWC suspended the chieftains on three grounds of “using in the name of the party without recourse to the appropriate stakeholders in both the state and national level according to our party constitution, suing the party without exhausting internal resolution mechanism as provided by the party’s constitution; and involving in antiparty’s activities.”
Commenting on the development, the state Secretary of the party, Comrade Adekunle Oluwayomi, said the party’s constitution must be respected, saying “Nobody would be allowed to use the party’s name recklessly.”
In his reaction, however, Edema said he was unaware of the action of the party against him.
“I am not aware of any suspension and if they alleged that I violated the party’s constitution, which panel have they asked me to face for the sake of fair hearing? Secondly, 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.
“As far as I’m concerned, nobody suspends me and I am still a bonafide member of the NNPP,” Edema stated.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
