By Ademola Ade
The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2027 election, Akinbola Hammed Rotham, has withdrawn his suit challenging the eligibility of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, to contest the governorship election.
Rotham said the decision to withdraw Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/135/2026 was taken in the interest of the Ogun West agenda and the broader development of the state.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abeokuta, Rotham said his decision followed reflection on the implications of pursuing the case, particularly against the backdrop of Ogun West’s long-standing aspiration to produce a governor.
He said the collective interest of the senatorial district, which he said had waited about 50 years to produce a governor, should take precedence over individual political ambitions.
“My decision to withdraw Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/135/2026, challenging the eligibility of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, was taken strictly in the best interest of the Ogun West agenda and the future of Ogun State,” Rotham said.
Describing Adeola as his brother and fellow contestant, the NNPP candidate said political competition should not undermine unity among stakeholders from Ogun West.
“Senator Yayi and I are both sons of Ogun West and contestants in the 2027 Ogun State governorship election. 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,” he said.
According to him, “the Ogun West agenda must come before personal political interests.”
‘Democracy must move beyond indigeneship controversies’
Rotham also called for an end to what he described as divisive arguments over place of birth, parental origin and indigeneship in political contests.
He said political competition should focus on issues relating to governance and the capacity of candidates to serve.
“I also believe that our democracy must mature beyond unnecessary sentiments and controversies over where an individual was born, where his parents came from, or questions of indigeneship being used as political weapons,” he said.
“Developmental democracy should focus on competence, capacity, character, accountability and the ability to deliver good governance, rather than divisive sentiments.”
Explaining his decision to withdraw the case, Rotham said continuing with the suit might not serve the wider interests of Ogun West or contribute positively to democratic development.
“Having reflected deeply on the matter, I concluded that continuing Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/135/2026 would not necessarily serve the larger interest of Ogun West or contribute positively to the development of our democratic culture.
“Therefore, I decided to halt the process in the interest of peace, unity and developmental democracy,” he said.
Still in 2027 race
Rotham, however, stressed that withdrawing the suit did not amount to abandoning his own governorship ambition.
He reiterated his commitment to contesting the 2027 election on the platform of the NNPP, saying his party’s opposition role should not prevent constructive engagement with other political parties.
“My decision is also consistent with the philosophy of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP. Other political parties are not our enemies; they are sister political parties,” he said.
“As an opposition party, our responsibility is not simply to oppose for the sake of opposition, but to engage constructively whenever such cooperation can advance the interests of our people and our country.”
Rotham also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership and founding vision of the NNPP under Dr Boniface Aniebonam Okechukwu.
He said he was mindful of Adeola’s political affiliation with the President.
“Since Senator Yayi belongs to the political family of Mr. President, I do not want unnecessary political distractions to come from us in the NNPP, particularly when such distractions could undermine the broader interest of Ogun State and Ogun West,” he said.
He subsequently extended “a hand of brotherhood, friendship and constructive engagement” to Adeola.
“Let us compete fairly. Let us respect one another. Let us put Ogun State first,” Rotham said.
The NNPP candidate said he would continue to campaign for what he described as a better Ogun State, adding that the withdrawal of the suit should be viewed against the broader aspiration for unity and collective political interests in Ogun West.
“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,” he said.
Rotham added that he looked forward to engaging Adeola “as a brother and fellow contestant” and working with other stakeholders committed to the development of Ogun State.
