The candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2024 governorship election in Ondo State, Olugbenga Edema, has quit the party.


Edema had participated in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election but lost.

He subsequently defected to the NNPP to clinch the party’s ticket.

His letter, dated May 9, 2025, was addressed to the chairman of the party in his ward, Mahin Ward 11, in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Edema informed the party that he was resigning his membership due to what he described as internal wranglings and rancour that had characterised the party since he joined in June 2024.

Edema noted that the party was not suitable for any serious-minded politician, lamenting that the party had frustrated his case in court against the APC candidate by withdrawing from the suit, leaving the candidate naked.

“Since joining the party in June 2024, the party has been characterised with internal wranglings and rancour that have stunted the growth of the party; this is not healthy for any serious-minded party that intends to win elections, which is the major objective of all political parties,” he stated.

He furthermore stated that the activities of the leadership of the party negated the ethos of political parties, which is to form the government at various levels.

“Since my over 35 years in active political party participation, I have never seen a political party with a leadership so treacherous to the extent of frustrating its candidate by withdrawing a legitimate case in court in favour of an opposing party against its candidate.

“It is apparent that the objective of the party is radically different from the above-stated objectives of any serious-minded political party.

“From the foregoing, it is obvious that I am not on the same page with the leadership of the party as to what a party’s objectives and values should be.

“By this letter, therefore, I hereby cease to be a member of the New Nigeria People’s Party with effect from today, May 9, 2025.”

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital, had recently struck out the suit filed by Edema praying for the disqualification of the APC candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, from contesting in the November 16, 2024, election.

By Augustine Akhilomen

…Backs Tinubu For Re-Election

Former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan says there is no plans for her husband to contest against president Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

Patience made this known while honouring Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the daughter of President Bola Tinubu and the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, during the Women Icon Leader of the Year award ceremony hosted by Accolade Dynamics Limited in Abuja on Saturday night.

In her speech, she declared her support for First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and her husband ahead of the elections.

“All the way, we are with you. No shaking. We will follow. Direct us, and we will follow. Because there is only one president at a time. We don’t have two presidents. I am outspoken, if I don’t like something, I will say it. But if I like something, I die for it.”

“I believe in one president. I believe in turn-by-turn. When it’s your turn, I will support you. When it’s not your turn, step back, so that the country can move forward.”

She insisted that rather than return to Aso Rock, she would support the First Lady and her husband.

She said, “I didn’t just know her (Senator Oluremi Tinubu) just because she’s the First Lady, no. We worked together. We worked as a group.

“We are groups. We worked when I was a deputy governor’s wife. We worked when I was a governor’s wife. I know her. I talked with Oluremi. Even when my husband was the vice president, Oluremi stood with her husband and supported us during our first election. They supported us. So, for me, I have a conscience. I cannot abandon my friend, whether you like it or not.

“Because, you see, this is turn by turn. Today is my turn—I will go. Tomorrow, it will be another person’s turn—then we go. And when we go, will we still meet? Where will we meet? I don’t know.

“I stand by my friend. My friend is great. I told her I would campaign with her. I’m not denying her. I’m not running. I’m not going back to the villa. If you call me, I will not go.”

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) faces turmoil over voter fraud allegations against chairmanship aspirants ahead of the Local Government elections.

Three aspirants are at the centre of the controversy: Mr Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun, contesting for Igbogbo Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), and Mr Alogba Babawale and Mr Azeez Lamina Oshoala, both vying for Ikorodu Local Government. Party members allege Babawale and Oshoala do not reside in Ikorodu Local Government, as required, claiming they hail from Ikorodu West and Ikorodu North, respectively.

Moreover, all three aspirants are accused of possessing and using multiple Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), constituting voter fraud. A petition by Mr Jinadu Oshinleye, represented by Chukwuyem Atewe Esq, was submitted to the Lagos APC chairman and Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, among others. It accuses Aroyewun of breaching the Electoral Act.


The petition states Aroyewun was registered in Ward Ijede J, Polling Unit 24-12-13-006, during his 2023 Lagos State House of Assembly candidacy for Ikorodu Constituency II. However, he is now allegedly using a different PVC for Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA, registered under Polling Unit 24-12-09-009 in Igbogbo.

“This constitutes multiple registrations, a clear breach of Section 12(3) of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines,” the petition claims, noting the new PVC cannot be verified on INEC’s portal.

The petitioner cites past APC screenings, like Ajeromi/Ifelodun LGA, where aspirants were disqualified for similar irregularities, as a precedent.