Olugbenga Edema, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) candidate in the 2024 Ondo State governorship election, has formally withdrawn his membership from the party, citing persistent internal crises and disillusionment with its leadership.
In a resignation letter dated May 9, 2025, and addressed to the NNPP chairman in Mahin Ward 11 of Ilaje Local Government Area, Edema expressed disappointment over what he described as “internal wranglings and rancour” that have plagued the party since he joined in June 2024.
Edema, who had initially contested the governorship ticket under the All Progressives Congress (APC) but lost, defected to the NNPP where he emerged as the party’s flagbearer. However, he now says the party’s internal turmoil has made it unsuitable for any “serious-minded politician.”
“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 said in his letter.
He accused the party’s leadership of acting in ways that undermine its own candidates and objectives. According to him, the party abandoned him at a critical point in his legal battle against the APC’s candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, by withdrawing from the suit, effectively leaving him without support.
“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,” he wrote.
He added, “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.”
Edema concluded the letter by stating, “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 development comes days after the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure struck out the suit filed by Edema, which sought to disqualify Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, from participating in the November 16, 2024 governorship election. The NNPP had earlier withdrawn from the case, a move Edema says undermined his candidacy.
The resignation adds to the list of high-profile defections and internal shakeups currently rocking the NNPP in various parts of the country.
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