The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr. AbdulAzeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has officially announced his departure from the party.
According to a statement he made during a press conference at his office in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, Jandor disclosed that his decision followed deep reflection and extensive consultations with his family, political associates, and supporters.
However, he clarified that he and his teeming followers had yet to decide on their next political move.
“My committed supporters and I will engage with stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to determine the next course of action that best serves the interests of Lagosians,” he said.
Jandor attributed his exit from the PDP to what he described as internal sabotage, alleging that party leaders conspired to ensure his defeat in the 2023 election. He claimed that some of them openly campaigned against him and the PDP’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Citing an interview granted by Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat shortly after the election, Jandor recalled that Hamzat had stated on national television that the PDP stood no chance of winning because “most of the leaders of the party worked against us.”
He further alleged that the deputy governor went on to mention names of PDP leaders who defected to work for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including the Presidential Campaign Committee Chairman in Lagos, Mr. Adedeji Doherty.
“Today, none of the party leaders he mentioned have rebutted his claim; rather, they still have the audacity and effrontery to parade themselves as party leaders,” Jandor asserted.
