Ex-Ondo Guber Candidate Edema Resigns From NNPP, Accuses Party Of Betrayal

A former governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2024 Ondo State off-cycle election, Olugbenga Edema, has formally resigned from the party, citing internal crises, weak leadership, and what he described as outright betrayal by the party’s leadership.

Edema’s resignation was made public in a letter dated Sunday and addressed to the NNPP chairman in Mahin Ward 11, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

In the letter, Edema expressed deep dissatisfaction with the conduct and direction of the party since his defection to the NNPP in June 2024.

According to the former chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), the NNPP has been plagued with internal conflicts, leadership instability, and a lack of cohesion—all of which he says rendered the party incapable of serious electoral competition.

“Since joining the party, it has been one crisis or the other,” Edema stated. “This is not healthy for any serious-minded party that intends to win elections, which is the major objective of all political parties.”

The former NNPP flagbearer further accused the state leadership of the party of deliberately undermining his candidacy.

He alleged that the party hierarchy went as far as withdrawing a pending court case filed on his behalf, siding instead with the opposition—a move he described as “treacherous” and unprecedented in his over three decades of political experience.

“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,” he said.

Edema noted that such actions reflect a fundamental disconnect between him and the party leadership regarding the purpose and ethics of political engagement.

“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,” he concluded.

“By this letter therefore, I hereby cease to be a member of the New Nigeria People’s Party with effect from today. No doubt, lessons have been learnt.”

Edema initially sought the governorship ticket under the All Progressives Congress (APC) but defected to the NNPP after losing out to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who emerged as the APC candidate.

His relationship with the NNPP leadership deteriorated significantly in the run-up to the November 2024 election.

On March 3, 2025, the Ondo State chapter of the NNPP suspended Edema and his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi, for alleged anti-party activities and constitutional violations.

Despite these challenges, Edema remained the party’s public face in the election until his latest decision to cut ties with the party entirely.

As of the time of filing this report, the NNPP leadership in Ondo has not issued an official response to Edema’s resignation or the allegations he leveled against them.