The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate in the 2024 Ondo State governorship election, Gbenga Edema, has announced his resignation from the party.
Edema recently lost a case at the Court of Appeal in Akure, where he had challenged the legitimacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary that produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as its candidate.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the NNPP in Mahin Ward 11, Ilaje Local Government Area, and made available to our correspondent on Sunday, Edema cited ongoing internal turmoil within the party as the reason for his departure.
The letter reads:
“I wish to humbly inform you of my intention to resign my membership of the party with immediate effect.”
He lamented that since joining the NNPP in June 2024, the party had been plagued by persistent infighting and internal discord, which he said had severely hampered its growth and electoral prospects.
“This is not healthy for any serious-minded party seeking to win elections, which is the fundamental purpose of political parties,” Edema stated.
He went on to criticise the leadership of the NNPP, accusing it of betraying its own candidate by withdrawing a legitimate court case in favour of an opposing party.
“In over 35 years of active political engagement, I have never witnessed a party leadership so treacherous that it would undermine its own candidate in this manner,” he said.
“It is clear that the party’s goals and values are entirely misaligned with those of any credible political organisation.”
Edema concluded:
“By this letter, therefore, I hereby cease to be a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party with effect from today, May 9,2025.”