Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, widely known as Jandor, the former governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal conflicts and a lack of discipline within the PDP as his main reasons for the move.
The announcement was made during a press conference held on Monday at his office in Ikeja, Lagos, weeks after he had tendered his resignation from the PDP.
Jandor expressed his frustration with the party’s internal dynamics, particularly pointing to the failure of party leadership to address what he described as “anti-party activities” during the 2023 general elections.
“Our story in the PDP was one of working with perennial political saboteurs,” Jandor said. “But we have resolved to love our future more than we hate our past.”
He continued by explaining that, after extensive consultations with family, political associates, elder statesmen, and well-meaning Lagosians, he came to the conclusion that the fundamental goal of any political party should be to win elections and form a government that serves the welfare and development of the people.
“Having identified that the primary purpose of a political party is to win elections, we have decided to join a political party that places the priority of winning above all else—regardless of who is on the ballot. We have decided to return to the All Progressives Congress.”
Jandor revealed that his decision to rejoin the APC was not made in isolation. He disclosed that he had engaged in talks with political leaders and supporters across various parties, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Young Progressive Party (YPP), before ultimately choosing the APC.
In addressing questions regarding his previous departure from the APC, Jandor referred to a Yoruba proverb, suggesting that one cannot truly know which option is best until they have experienced both.
“Before you are quick to remind me of the reasons upon which we left APC in the first place,” he remarked, “let me respond with a popular Yoruba adage: ‘If a woman has not tried two husbands, she probably would not know which is better.’”
He went on to highlight the leadership contrast between the APC and the PDP in Lagos, stating, “In APC, we have a leader, and even if you disagree with his choice of candidates, you can never fault his desire to win for the benefit of the party and the state. On the other hand, in Lagos PDP, there is a leader who repeatedly works against his own party and dashes the hopes of many loyal members.”
Jandor stressed that his return to the APC was a thoughtful decision, driven by his firm belief in the importance of unity among progressives for the betterment of Lagos State.
He also acknowledged the role of President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, in persuading him to rejoin the ruling party. “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, who recognised our modest contributions to democracy and nation-building,” Jandor said.
“I must also thank Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, who has been persistently encouraging me to come ‘home’. When news of my resignation from the PDP broke, Seyi Tinubu immediately reached out to encourage me to return.”
Jandor assured his supporters that his decision was made with Lagos’ best interests in mind and called on them to join him in this new political chapter.
“We remain committed to the values of service, integrity, and progress. Together, we will continue to champion the cause of a better Lagos for present and future generations,” he said.
This defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Lagos State, with Jandor’s return to the APC expected to have considerable implications for the party’s political strategies going forward.
