Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The candidate of the New Nigeria People Party in the recent Ondo State governorship election, Olugbenga Edema, has rejected his indefinite suspension by the party's state working committee, arguing that the state chapter lacks the constitutional authority to take such action against him and claiming that only his local ward holds that power. The state chapter, led by chairman Peter Olagookun alongside twelve committee members, had announced the suspension of Edema, his running mate Rotimi Adeyemi, and another chieftain named Israel Ayeni, accusing them of filing lawsuits in the party's name without proper authorization, bypassing internal dispute resolution mechanisms, and engaging in anti-party activities. Edema dismissed the decision as politically motivated due to his ongoing court case at the Federal High Court challenging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's candidacy, insisting he was never granted a fair hearing before a disciplinary panel and maintaining that he remains a bona fide member of the party.