NNPP Ogun governorship candidate Akinbola Rotham withdraws his suit challenging Senator Yayi’s eligibility for the 2027 election, citing Ogun West’s interest
The governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Ogun State, Akinbola Rotham, has withdrawn his suit challenging the eligibility of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, to contest the 2027 governorship election.
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Rotham announced the withdrawal during a press conference on Friday, saying the suit, marked FHC/AB/CS/135/2026, had been discontinued at the Federal High Court in Abeokuta.
He said the decision was taken in what he described as the best interest of Ogun West and its longstanding aspiration to produce a governor of Ogun State.
According to Rotham, both he and Yayi are from Ogun West and are contenders in the 2027 governorship race.
He said the collective interest of the senatorial district should take precedence over individual political ambitions.
Rotham argued that continuing with the legal action would not serve the interest of Ogun West or contribute positively to Nigeria’s democratic development.
He also said political discourse should move beyond arguments over where candidates were born or the origins of their parents.
According to him, issues such as competence, capacity, character and the ability to deliver good governance should receive greater attention.
Rotham described Yayi as his brother and said their political contest should remain healthy and constructive.
He said political competition should not undermine the unity required to advance the interests of Ogun West.
The NNPP candidate added that his decision was consistent with his party’s philosophy of viewing members of other political parties as sister-party members rather than enemies.
Rotham also dismissed suggestions that he withdrew the suit because he received money or another form of political settlement.
He said he had never personally met Yayi before the legal matter and insisted that his decision 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,” Rotham said.
“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.”
Despite withdrawing the suit, Rotham said he remains a candidate in the 2027 Ogun State governorship race.
He reiterated his commitment to the aspiration of producing a governor from Ogun West and said the decision to discontinue the case did not amount to withdrawing from the electoral contest.
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The development comes as political activities intensify in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with candidates and political parties positioning themselves for the contest.
