In a major shake-up within the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has formally announced his resignation from the party.
His exit follows his tenure as the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 elections and highlights the persistent internal conflicts within the opposition party in the state.
Jandor’s political journey has been marked by significant shifts. Before joining the PDP, he was a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His defection to the PDP was seen as a strategic attempt to challenge the APC’s longstanding grip on Lagos politics. However, his time in the PDP was marred by disputes over leadership and party structure.
In March 2024, Jandor publicly asserted his leadership within the Lagos PDP, citing the party’s constitution and his position as its last gubernatorial candidate.
“As far as Jandor is concerned, by the constitution of our party and that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as the candidate of the party as at today in Lagos State, I am the leader,” he declared.
However, his claim was swiftly dismissed by then Lagos PDP chairman, Phillip Aivoji, who stated that the party’s constitution did not grant leadership status to its candidates.
Jandor claimed that these leaders deliberately undermined the PDP during the 2023 elections.
“We will consult widely with everybody and then take the decision to collapse our structure to another platform. What is majority on the ground now is that we have left the Peoples Democratic Party,” Jandor stated.
