Jandor Dumps PDP, Rejoins APC After Extensive Consultations

Jandor announced his departure from the PDP, citing “persistent anti-party activities, internal sabotage, and lack of discipline” as the reasons for his resignation from the main opposition party

Jandor Dumps PDP, Rejoins APC After Extensive Consultations

Abdulazeez ‘Jandor’ Adediran, the Lagos State governorship candidate for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has returned to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He made this announcement at a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, stating, “We have decided to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Jandor, who ran against the incumbent governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, seeking re-election, and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP), finished in third place. In 2021, he was the lead visioner of Lagos4Lagos, an anti-Tinubu group, but left the APC to run as a gubernatorial candidate for the PDP. He had previously vowed to end what he termed the 24-year monopoly of Bola Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State.

In a statement, Jandor criticized the dominance of a single leader in Lagos government: “The problem of Lagos is that we have one head thinking about the state for the past 24 years.” He emphasized the need for a governor with an independent mindset to overcome the issues faced by the state.

However, last week, he announced his departure from the PDP, citing “persistent anti-party activities, internal sabotage, and lack of discipline” as the reasons for his resignation from the main opposition party. He mentioned that he would consult with his family and friends regarding his next steps.

Following this development, his media aide, Gbenga Ogunleye, confirmed that Jandor met with President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and others as part of ongoing consultations. “The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has met with President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,” Ogunleye stated in a message.

Jandor described his return to the APC as “the better alternative,” asserting that it provides a more viable platform to achieve good governance for all Lagosians. He noted that the APC prioritizes winning for its members, regardless of who is on the ballot. “Before you remind me why we left the APC in the first place, let me respond with a popular Yoruba adage: if a woman has not tried two husbands, she probably wouldn’t know which is better,” he explained.

“In the APC, we have a leader who, even if you criticize his selection choices, you can’t question his desire to win for the benefit of all members, followers, and the state. In Lagos PDP, you have a leader who, at every election cycle, works against his own party, dashing the hopes of many party members. We have chosen the better alternative.”

Adediran emphasized that his decision to return to the APC was based on extensive consultations with political associates, followers, and supporters across the state. “We have engaged in discussions with various political interests and parties across the country to find a platform for expressing our vision for the betterment of the people of Lagos State,” he said.

He mentioned that consultations included critical discussions with leaders from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), APC, African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Young Progressive Party (YPP), among others. “We also had a truth-sharing engagement with the leadership of the PDP at the national level about the possibility of rescinding our resignation if the identified issues could be corrected.”

Jandor reiterated that the ruling APC offers a “more viable platform to deliver on our promises of good governance for all Lagosians, even if I am not the one on the ballot.” He emphasized that his return reflects an unwavering commitment to the progress and unity of Lagos State.

He expressed gratitude to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, for inviting him to “return home,” and noted that President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, had called him upon learning of his defection from the PDP, stating, “Egbon (elder brother), this is the time to come back home.” Read More