The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has attributed his electoral defeat to the unexpected influence of Peter Obi in the presidential election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Jandor explained that his campaign had gained significant momentum before the February 25, 2023, elections, but the sudden shift in voter dynamics altered the outcome.
“We did everything, but that wave came and swallowed the whole thing. Nobody saw that coming,” he said.
When asked, “If not for Peter Obi’s influence in the presidential election, would you have won the governorship election?” Jandor responded,
“Absolutely, I probably would have won the election at the governorship election.”
Jandor highlighted that, prior to the presidential election, his team was actively campaigning across Lagos, while the ruling All Progressives Congress was seemingly absent.
He also recalled that the APC candidate, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, did not participate in several election debates.
“We were on the streets of Lagos every day, everywhere. The ruling party was nowhere to be found. They didn’t show up for several debates,” he said.
Reflecting on the outcome of the presidential election in Lagos, where Obi of the Labour Party defeated President Bola Tinubu, Jandor remarked on the surprising nature of the results.
“No one would have ever thought that Bola Tinubu would lose in his own state, especially against Peter Obi from Anambra State,” he stated.
Despite the electoral loss, Jandor maintained that he accepted the outcome as part of divine timing.
“I’m not blaming anyone. I just felt it wasn’t God’s time yet, and that’s the fact,” he said.
Jandor’s comments come a day after he announced his exit from the PDP, citing the ongoing leadership crisis at the party’s national headquarters.
He expressed disappointment over the state of affairs in the party, saying it had become a source of embarrassment.
“The leadership crisis at the national headquarters is a significant reason to be ashamed of the party,” he said.
The PDP has been embroiled in internal conflicts, particularly since the emergence of Umar Damagum as acting National Chairman following the removal of Iyorchia Ayu. Damagum has faced growing criticism from party members, many of whom blame him for the party’s ongoing struggles.
The situation has further deteriorated due to a dispute over the National Secretary position, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye locked in a fierce battle for the role.
The crisis has also deepened divisions within the party’s key structures, including the Board of Trustees, National Working Committee, and National Executive Committee.
In the South-South region, tensions worsened after a zonal congress was held on February 22 without the consent of the region’s governors, further complicating the party’s internal strife.
He also stated that he does not need to consult with President Bola Tinubu to become the governor of Lagos State.
Jandor’s political history started with the All Progressives Congress before he left the party with his Lagos4Lagos Movement, a bloc within the ruling party in 2022.
He joined the PDP before the 2023 election and emerged governorship candidate in Lagos. He later lost to APC’s Babajide Sanwo-Olu who got re-elected to the Marina House.
Recently, Jandor dumped the PDP after he accused some leaders of the party of sabotaging him.
“We were waiting to see if the party at the national level governed by the constitution of the party would look into the provisions of that constitution and say that for engaging in anti-party activities openly, this is the sanction.
“We waited patiently for two years and saw whether that would happen, instead of that, the same person was appointed Vice Chairman, Disciplinary Committee by the national,” he said.
Jandor, however, said he would consider joining any of the available parties to realise his 2027 governorship dream.
“APC is one of the 17 (parties) that is left. A coalition is coming in Nigeria. Other political parties are there. Labour Party is also an option, it is part of the 17,” he said.
On his 2027 governorship ambition, he said, “We have chosen this path; we are not deviating. It is only God that can determine who and when. This is the path that we have chosen.”
Jandor said he has not met with Tinubu since he left the APC in 2022.
When asked whether he has consulted Tinubu and other APC leaders in Lagos to anoint him for the top Lagos seat, Jandor said, “No, we are not in the same party. I don’t have to consult with them.”
