In Akure, the state capital, Acting National Secretary of the party, Ogini Sunday, expressed strong disapproval of the replacement of the original candidate, Oluwatosin Ayeni, by followers of Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Ayeni had withdrawn from the race, leading to the nomination of Olugbenga Edema as the party’s new candidate.
NNPP State Chairman Peter Olagookun previously stated that Ayeni’s withdrawal was a strategic move to support a more viable candidacy for the party.
Edema, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC, was officially introduced at a special party meeting in Akure and is now listed on INEC’s portal as the NNPP’s candidate for the November 16 governorship election.
However, Ogini Sunday has declared that Akintan Michael is the party’s legitimate gubernatorial candidate, with Kemi Fasua as his running mate.
He criticized the acceptance of Edema’s nomination, calling Kwankwaso’s supporters fake members and asserting that Kwankwaso is no longer affiliated with NNPP.
The party has taken legal action against INEC for accepting the replacement of the candidate.