Olugbenga Edema dumps APC, elected NNPP governorship candidate in Ondo

Olugbenga Edema, a former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo, has defected to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The state governorship election is slated to take place on November 16.

In April, allegations of irregularities trailed the conduct of the APC primary election in the state, which resulted in the victory of Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the party’s flagbearer.

Edema was among the party’s aspirants who kicked and alleged that the election didn’t take place in most parts of the state.

Edema announced his exit from the ruling party on Wednesday in Akure, the state capital, and was subsequently elected as the substitution candidate for the NNPP ahead of the governorship election.

Prior to the event, Ayeni Oluwatosin, then NNPP governorship candidate, had voluntarily withdrawn his candidacy from the election.

In a letter, Oluwatosin said his withdrawal was in the interest of the party.

“I, Ayeni, Oluwatosin Israel, a governorship candidate of the NNPP for the November 16, 2024, election in Ondo State, hereby voluntarily withdraw my candidacy from the contest. My withdrawal is in the best interest of our great party, NNPP,” the letter reads.