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The Ogun State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has rejected the resignation letters of its State Woman Leader, Hon. Foluke Precious Bagbansoro, and State Youth Leader, Hon. Funso Jide Adekunle, describing their actions as “procedurally defective and null in the eyes of the law.”
Speaking to journalists in Abeokuta on Tuesday, the NNPP State Chairman, Barrister Olufemi Aina, insisted that the party had not accepted the resignations, emphasizing that both leaders remain bona fide members of the NNPP until due process is followed in accordance with the party’s constitution.
“Their purported resignations are a nullity. As far as the NNPP Ogun State Chapter is concerned, Hon. Foluke Bagbansoro and Hon. Funso Adekunle remain our Woman Leader and Youth Leader respectively. They have not complied with the constitutional procedure for resignation, and therefore, their letters are not recognized by the party,” Aina stated.
Aina, an international lawyer, said that under Article 8.2.2 of the NNPP Constitution, any officer wishing to resign must first obtain clearance from the party secretariat after surrendering all party property in their possession. He added that both individuals have yet to fulfill these obligations.
“By Article 8 of our party’s constitution, before a resignation can be effective, the officer must obtain clearance and return all party items. None of this has been done. At common law, they are also under a duty to give reasonable notice before resigning — a requirement that depends on their tenure and position,” he explained.
The chairman described their actions as “hasty and discourteous,” alleging that neither of the two party leaders discussed their decision with him or the state executive before going public.
“They didn’t even have the courtesy to discuss their intentions with me or the state executive, as others have done in the past. Instead, they ran to the media. That kind of conduct is not only risible but also inconsistent with the discipline expected of senior party officers,” Aina said.
Reacting further, Aina hinted that disciplinary measures might be taken if the two officers fail to regularize their positions or continue to disregard party functions.
“We may be compelled to impose sanctions if they persist in absenting themselves from party activities. You cannot just wake up one morning and declare resignation with immediate effect — it is never done. Leadership requires procedure, not impulse,” he warned.
Despite the internal controversy, Aina urged party members across the state to remain calm, loyal, and focused on the NNPP’s grassroots mobilization agenda. He reassured supporters that the party remains united and forward-looking.
“We must not be distracted by the bandwagon effect of political realignment in the state. The NNPP in Ogun is indivisible. I encourage all our members to attend the forthcoming party meeting in Abeokuta South on Thursday, November 13, as a demonstration of our unity and strength,” he declared.
Aina also appealed to members to avoid any form of conduct that could tarnish the image of the party, emphasizing the need for discipline and respect for internal mechanisms.
“Our members must avoid actions that could bring the NNPP into disrepute. The essence of democracy is discipline, dialogue, and respect for established processes,” he reiterated.
Both Hon. Foluke Bagbansoro and Hon. Funso Jide Adekunle had earlier announced their resignations in separate letters addressed to the state chairman. Bagbansoro cited ideological differences and future political aspirations, while Adekunle described his decision as one driven by personal conviction and reflection.
Their resignations have stirred speculation of a growing wave of political realignment within the Ogun NNPP, coming on the heels of recent high-profile defections to other parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, with the state chairman’s firm declaration, it appears the final chapter of their departure from the NNPP is yet to be written.
