Why I Dropped My Case Against Yayi, Ogun NNPP Candidate

The Ogun State governorship candidate for the New Nigeria People’s Party, Akinbola Rotham, has explained why he withdrew a court case against Senator Solomon Adeola, commonly known as Yayi. The case challenged Yayi's eligibility to run for the 2027 governorship election.

Rotham stated that he decided to withdraw Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/135/2026, which questioned Adeola’s claim of being from Ogun State, for the sake of the Ogun West agenda and the overall growth of the state.

The controversy around Adeola’s claim to Ogun State indigeneship has stirred up debate, with some politicians doubting his roots in Pahayi, Ilaro, located in the Yewa South Local Government Area.

Speaking to reporters on Friday in Abeokuta, Rotham emphasized that Ogun West's desire to have a governor after many years was more crucial than personal political goals.

"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."

"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."

Rotham said that the Ogun West agenda should come before personal political interests. He believes democracy should advance beyond petty issues like where someone was born or questions of indigeneship used as political tools.

"Developmental democracy should focus on competence, capacity, character, accountability and the ability to deliver good governance, rather than divisive sentiments," he stated.

After thinking deeply about the situation, Rotham felt that continuing with the case would not benefit Ogun West or help move democracy forward.

He referred to Adeola as his brother and said their political rivalry should be constructive, not harmful.

"Senator Yayi is my brother. We come from the same senatorial district, Ogun West, and we are colleagues in the 2027 governorship contest. Our competition should therefore be healthy and constructive, not one that destroys the very unity we need to advance the interest of our people," he said.

Rotham added that his choice aligns with the NNPP's philosophy. He insisted that opposition parties should work together when it benefits the people.

"Other political parties are not our enemies; they are sister political parties. 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," Rotham explained.

He also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the NNPP under Dr Boniface Okechukwu. Rotham mentioned that Yayi’s ties to the President's political family influenced his decision to avoid legal disputes that could distract Ogun State.

"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.

Rotham offered what he called a "hand of brotherhood, friendship and constructive engagement" to Adeola. He made it clear that his decision to withdraw was not due to any financial inducement or political deal.

"I want to make it absolutely clear that my withdrawal was not induced by money, financial gratification, political settlement or any personal inducement whatsoever," he said.

Rotham noted that he and Adeola had not met before this issue. His decision was based on his strong belief that the collective interests of Ogun West and Ogun State should come before individual ambitions.

"My decision was entirely based on principle, reflection and my conviction that the collective interest of Ogun West and Ogun State must come before personal ambition," he stated.

He remains committed to the 2027 governorship race and his goal to help develop Ogun State. Rotham concluded, "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 looks forward to meeting Adeola and working together as brothers and fellow contestants while also collaborating with others focused on Ogun State's development.