Israel Ayeni, the flagbearer of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election slated for November 16, 2024, has withdrawn from the race.
News About Nigeria reported that Ayeni became the NNPP candidate for the election after polling 100 votes to defeat his only rival, Prof. Ibrahim Ajagunna, at the party’s primary held on April 26, 2024.
In his letter of withdrawal, which was made available to newsmen on Wednesday, Ayeni revealed that his withdrawal from the race 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 read.
He appreciated the NNPP and other party members for finding him worthy of being their governorship candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
Ayeni, in his withdrawal letter, added that he believes that the NNPP will be able to get another candidate who will run with the party’s vision for a better Ondo state.
Confirming his withdrawal, the Ondo State Chairman of the NNPP, Peter Olagookun, revealed that Ayeni willingly withdrew his candidacy.
He further noted that Ayeni’s withdrawal would pave the way for a better candidate to emerge for the party.
Olagookun disclosed that the party would hold a substitution governorship primary election on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
He added that the NNPP believes that the change of the party’s candidacy would further strengthen the party’s victory in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
