The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ondo State has suspended its governorship candidate in the November 16 off-cycle election, Olugbenga Edema, along with his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi, and a party chieftain, Israel Ayeni.
Their suspension was announced on Monday following a meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) in Akure.
Addressing journalists, NNPP’s state chairman, Peter Olagookun, stated that the decision was based on allegations of anti-party activities and breaches of the party’s constitution.
Olagookun explained that the suspended members were accused of instituting legal action on behalf of the party without consulting relevant stakeholders at both state and national levels.
He further noted that they failed to exhaust internal mechanisms for resolving disputes before resorting to litigation, actions that contravened the party’s regulations.
Attempts to reach Edema for comments were unsuccessful.
However, an aide, who requested anonymity, dismissed the suspension, insisting that Edema had played a crucial role in building NNPP’s reputation in the state.
He added that the governorship candidate would respond to the matter at the appropriate time.
Edema had contested the Ondo governorship election under the NNPP but was defeated by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC).