Rotham Drops Suit Against Yayi, Says Ogun West’s 50-Year Wait Matters

In Nigerian politics, the hardest fights are often fought in court before they are fought at the polls.

One of them in Ogun State has just ended.

The NNPP’s Ogun governorship candidate, Akinbola Rotham, has withdrawn a suit challenging the eligibility of Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, to contest the 2027 governorship election.

ValidViewNetwork gathered that the suit is numbered FHC/AB/CS/135/2026.

THE CASE AND THE CONTROVERSY

Adeola’s indigeneship has drawn controversy, with some politicians questioning his claim to hail from Pahayi, Ilaro, in Yewa South Local Government Area. The suit sought to test that claim in court.

WHY HE WITHDREW

Rotham spoke to journalists in Abeokuta on Friday. He said the aspiration of Ogun West to produce a governor after 50 years of waiting is greater than any individual ambition.

He added that his decision rested on principle, reflection and his conviction that the collective interest of Ogun West and Ogun State must come first. He described Adeola as his brother and fellow contestant, and said their rivalry should not weaken regional unity.

THE POLITICAL CALCULUS

Rotham offered two further reasons. He said he did not want unnecessary distractions from the NNPP, since Adeola belongs to the political family of the President. He also said the move fits the NNPP’s philosophy, and that an opposition party should engage constructively with other parties when that serves the people.

He argued that governance should turn on competence, character and accountability rather than birthplace debates. He said democracy must mature beyond such controversies.

NOT THE FIRST WITHDRAWAL

The move follows earlier retreats. Four other legal actions against Adeola’s candidacy were discontinued in September.

Adeola’s camp said at the time that the litigants had become convinced of his merit. Nothing suggests Rotham’s reasons are the same. (pmnewsnigeria)

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WHAT NEXT

Rotham said he remains committed to the 2027 contest and looks forward to meeting Adeola as a fellow contestant. The general election is slated for February 6, 2027.

A principled stand is easy to admire, but voters will weigh it against one fact: a candidate who withdraws a challenge to his rival must now give them a reason to choose him instead.