The governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, in Ogun State, Comrade Akinbola Rotham, has withdrawn his suit challenging the eligibility of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for the 2027 governorship election.
Rotham disclosed the withdrawal during a press conference on Friday, saying the suit marked FHC/AB/CS/135/2026 filed at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, has been discontinued.
He said the decision was taken in the best interest of Ogun West and its 50-year agitation to produce a governor of Ogun State.
According to him, both he and Yayi are sons of Ogun West and co-contestants in the 2027 race, and the collective interest of the zone must come before personal ambition.
Rotham said continuing the suit would not serve the interest of Ogun West or help Nigeria’s democratic culture.
He argued that democracy must move beyond sentiments of where a person was born or where his parents came from, saying indigeneship should not be used as a political weapon.
He noted that focus should be on competence, capacity, character and ability to deliver good governance.
The NNPP candidate described Yayi as his brother, noting that their contest should be healthy and constructive and not destroy the unity required to advance Ogun West.
He said his decision was also in line with the philosophy of the NNPP, which regards other political parties as sister parties, not enemies.
Rotham added that he took the decision out of respect for President Bola Tinubu and to avoid unnecessary political distractions, noting that Yayi belongs to the President’s political family.
He, however, dismissed insinuations that he was induced with money, insisting that he has never met Yayi personally and that the withdrawal was based on principle.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that my withdrawal was not induced by money, financial gratification, political settlement or any personal inducement whatsoever. Senator Yayi and I had never met personally before this 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 maintained that he remains in the 2027 governorship race and is committed to the aspiration of producing an Ogun West governor.
NNPP guber candidate, Rotham withdraws suit challenging Yayi’s eligibility for 2027 poll