NNPP’s Rotham Withdraws Suit Challenging Yayi’s Ogun Governorship Eligibility

The Ogun State governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Akinbola Rotham, has withdrawn a suit challenging the eligibility of Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, to contest the 2027 governorship election.

Rotham said the decision to withdraw Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/135/2026, which challenged Adeola’s claim to Ogun State indigeneship, was made in the interest of the Ogun West agenda and the broader development of the state.

Adeola’s indigeneship has been a subject of controversy, with some politicians questioning his claim to hail from Pahayi, Ilaro, in Yewa South Local Government Area.

Speaking with journalists in Abeokuta on Friday, Rotham said the collective aspiration of Ogun West to produce a governor after decades of waiting was more important than individual political ambitions.

“My decision to withdraw Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/135/2026, challenging the eligibility of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, was taken strictly in the best interest of the Ogun West agenda and the future of Ogun State,” he said.

Rotham, who described Adeola as his brother and fellow Ogun West contestant, said their political competition should remain healthy and constructive, rather than threaten the unity of the region.

He argued that governance should focus on competence, capacity, character, accountability and the ability to deliver good governance, rather than disputes over an aspirant’s place of birth, parentage or indigeneship.

Rotham also said the NNPP, as an opposition party, should engage constructively with other political parties when such cooperation could advance the interests of the people. He added that Adeola’s association with President Bola Tinubu’s political camp was another reason he did not want the legal dispute to become an unnecessary distraction.

The NNPP candidate, however, denied that his withdrawal was influenced by money, financial gratification or any political settlement, saying he and Adeola had not met personally before the matter.

“My decision was entirely based on principle, reflection and my conviction that the collective interest of Ogun West and Ogun State must come before personal ambition,” Rotham said.

Rotham maintained that he remained committed to the 2027 governorship contest, adding that he looked forward to meeting Adeola and engaging with him as a fellow contestant while working with other stakeholders for the development of Ogun State.