NNPP Governorship Candidate Withdraws Perjury Suit Challenging Senator Yayi’s Eligibility To Contest In 2027

ABEOKUTA — The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2027 election, Comrade Akinbola Hammed Rotham, has explained his decision to withdraw Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/135/2026, which challenged the eligibility of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, to contest the 2027 governorship election.

Rotham said the decision was taken in the overall interest of the Ogun West senatorial district and the future of Ogun State, stressing that the collective aspiration of the zone to produce a governor was more important than individual political ambitions.

Addressing journalists in Abeokuta on Friday, Rotham noted that he and Adeola were both from Ogun West and would be contestants in the 2027 governorship election.

Rotham said he believed democratic competition should move beyond controversies surrounding the place of birth, parental origin and questions of indigeneship, arguing that greater emphasis should be placed on competence, capacity, character, accountability and the ability to deliver good governance.

He explained that after reflecting on the matter, he concluded that continuing the suit would not necessarily serve the larger interest of Ogun West or contribute positively to democratic development.

He said, “I strongly believe that the collective aspiration of Ogun West to produce a governor of Ogun State, after 50 years of waiting, is greater than any individual ambition.

“For me, the Ogun West agenda must come before personal political interests.

“Therefore, I decided to halt the process in the interest of peace, unity and developmental democracy,” he said.

Describing Adeola as his “brother,” Rotham said both politicians belonged to the same senatorial district and were colleagues in the 2027 governorship contest.

He added that their political competition should be healthy and constructive rather than one that could undermine the unity required to advance the interests of Ogun West.

According to him, “Our competition should therefore be a healthy and constructive competition, not one that destroys the very unity we need to advance the interest of our people.”

Rotham also linked his decision to what he described as the philosophy of the NNPP, saying opposition parties should not regard one another as enemies but as sister political parties.

He said the responsibility of an opposition party was not merely to oppose for the sake of opposition, but to engage constructively whenever such cooperation could advance the interests of citizens and the country.

The NNPP candidate further acknowledged the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the leadership and founding vision of the party under Dr. Boniface Aniebonam Okechukwu.

He said Adeola’s association with the political family of the President was another reason he did not want unnecessary political distractions emanating from the NNPP to undermine the broader interests of Ogun State and Ogun West.

Rotham subsequently extended what he described as a “hand of brotherhood, friendship and constructive engagement” to Adeola.

The NNPP candidate, however, stressed that his withdrawal of the suit was not induced by money, financial gratification, political settlement or any form of personal inducement.

He said Adeola and himself had never met personally before the legal matter, adding that his decision was based on personal reflection and his conviction that the collective interest of Ogun West and Ogun State should take precedence over individual ambition.

Rotham said he remained committed to the 2027 governorship contest and his aspiration to contribute to building a better Ogun State.

He said the current political moment should be viewed as an opportunity for Ogun West to pursue its longstanding aspiration through unity and constructive engagement.

“This is not about one man. It is about our people. It is not about personal ambition. It is about collective destiny.

“It is not about division. It is about unity and progress. Let us compete fairly. Let us respect one another. Let us put Ogun State first,” he said.

He expressed his readiness to meet and engage with Adeola as a brother and fellow contestant, as well as work with other stakeholders committed to the development of Ogun State.