Lagos, Nigeria
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 governorship election in Lagos State, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adediran disclosed this at a press briefing in Lagos on Monday.
He said his defection from the PDP is a “reflection of his unwavering commitment to the development of Lagos”.
This development came one week after he reportedly had a secret meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Adediran was a member of the APC in Lagos State before defecting to the PDP to win the governorship ticket in the 2023 elections.
Giving his reasons, Janor accused PDP national leadership of letting him down on the eve of the election, maintaining that he would have won but for a false claim of alliance that made PDP supporters in Lagos vote for another candidate.
He said he left the PDP because the party’s national leadership was unable to instil discipline and condemned some party leaders’ “anti-party activities” in 2023.
He disclosed that he has since resigned from the PDP, he has held talks with various parties, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Young Progressive Party (YPP), before settling for the APC.
“In the process of consultation, we had crucial discussions with some leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), All Progressive Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Young Progressive Party (YPP) among others,” he said.
“We equally had a truth-sharing engagement with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the national level on the likelihood of rescinding a resignation from the party if the identified wrongs could be corrected.”
Jandor said his return to the APC is driven by the belief that it is a more effective vehicle for delivering good governance to Lagosians, even if his name is not on the ballot.
“While we remain proud of the campaign we ran and the support we garnered, we believe that working within the fold of the 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 said.
“Our return to the APC is not a decision made lightly. It is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to the progress of Lagos state and our belief that unity among progressives is essential to achieving the collective aspirations of our people.”
Jandor thanked Tinubu for acknowledging his contributions to democracy and nation-building. He also expressed his gratitude to Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff, for encouraging him to rejoin the APC.
Additionally, Jandor showed appreciation to Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, who personally reached out to him as soon as he heard about his resignation from the PDP.
“Let me once again extend our sincere gratitude to the President and the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who recognized our modest contributions to democracy and nation-building,” he added.
“I must also recognize the relentless efforts of the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, who has been on our case for over one year to return ‘home’, and join hands with Mr. President.
“Upon hearing the news of my resignation from the PDP, the President’s son, Mr. Seyi Tinubu immediately put a call across to say ‘Egbon, this is the time to come back home’.
“Prior to that time, Seyi had exhibited the learnings he had had from the best and reached out, asking for support for the administration of his father, the President. What more can a father ask for?”
