Ogun NNPP guber candidate, Rotham withdraws suit against Yayi
…..says Ogun West agenda bigger than personal ambition
By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2027 election, Akinbola Hammed Rotham, has withdrawn a suit challenging the eligibility of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, to contest the governorship election.
Rotham said his 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 Ogun State.
Speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta, Rotham said continuing with the case would not necessarily serve the collective aspiration of the people of Ogun West Senatorial district, which, according to him, has waited for about 50 years to produce a governor of the state.
“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,” he said.
Rotham described Yayi as his brother and fellow contestant, stressing that their political rivalry should not undermine the unity needed to advance Ogun West’s interests.
“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.”
He also called for a shift away from what he described as divisive arguments surrounding place of birth, parental origin and indigeneship in political contests.
Rotham said: “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.
“Developmental democracy should focus on competence, capacity, character, accountability and the ability to deliver good governance, rather than divisive sentiments.”
The NNPP candidate said he had reflected on the implications of continuing with the legal action before deciding to withdraw it.
“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.
Rotham said the withdrawal should not be interpreted as an abandonment of his political ambition, adding that he remained committed to contesting the 2027 governorship election.
“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.”
He also acknowledged the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership and founding vision of the NNPP under Dr Boniface Aniebonam Okechukwu.
Rotham said he was particularly mindful of the fact that Senator Yayi belongs to the political family of 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 what he described as “a hand of brotherhood, friendship and constructive engagement” to Yayi.
“Let us compete fairly. Let us respect one another. Let us put Ogun State first,” Rotham said.
Rotham reiterated his commitment to the 2027 governorship contest and said he would continue to advocate for what he described as a better Ogun State.
He said the withdrawal of the suit should be viewed within the broader context of unity and collective political aspirations 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 meeting Yayi and engaging with him as “a brother and fellow contestant,” and expressed readiness to work with stakeholders committed to Ogun State’s development.