The Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 election, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has resigned from the party, citing internal betrayals and a lack of commitment from the leadership.
Addressing journalists in Lagos on Monday, Adediran stated that he is currently consulting with close associates on his next political move. Jandor, a former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had previously defected from the APC and established the Lagos for Lagos movement before joining the PDP.
His resignation has sparked controversy within the Lagos PDP, with the party leadership directing him to withdraw his claim of being the party’s leader in the state. During a political meeting on Sunday, Jandor had declared himself the apex leader of the Lagos PDP and called on certain party members who had supported another candidate in the election to leave the party.
Reacting to his statement, Lagos PDP Chairman, Phillip Aivoji, dismissed Jandor’s claim as false and divisive. In a statement issued by the party, Aivoji emphasized that the PDP operates under a structured constitution that does not grant leadership status to a gubernatorial candidate.
“The PDP is a political party governed by the rule of law, and the party constitution remains supreme. Nowhere in the constitution is leadership conferred on a candidate of the party,” the statement read in part.
The party further warned against misinformation and attempts to create disunity among members. It urged Jandor to retract his statement and apologize, reaffirming that only the State Executive Council and the National Working Committee (NWC) have the authority to determine party leadership and disciplinary actions.
Meanwhile, the Lagos PDP leadership assured members that efforts are ongoing to reconcile aggrieved members and rebuild public confidence in the party following setbacks in the last general elections.
