Former Lagos PDP governorship candidate, Dr Olajide Adediran, known as Jandor, has explained that his return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was driven by the party’s ability to win elections and his commitment to the progress of Lagos State.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, March 17, in Ikeja, Jandor stated, “Our return to APC is not about personal ambition but about ensuring Lagos continues to progress under a winning party.”
His defection followed a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, as well as consultations with political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-military leaders Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Jandor, who resigned from the PDP on March 3, cited indiscipline, internal betrayal, and misleading claims of an alliance that cost the party the 2023 Lagos governorship election. “Since resigning from PDP, we have engaged in wide consultations with our political associates, followers, and supporters across the state,” he said.
He revealed he had discussions with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and other parties before choosing to return to the APC.
“While PDP at the national level urged us to reconsider our resignation, the Lagos chapter launched a campaign of calumny against us,” Jandor stated, adding that the party’s leadership had repeatedly failed to win elections in the state.
“Ask Chief Olabode George why he has never won his polling unit for PDP in over 20 years. I won mine for PDP in both the Presidential and Governorship elections,” he said.
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On why he left the APC in 2021 and later returned, Jandor explained, “Before you remind me why we left APC, let me respond with a Yoruba adage: ‘If a woman has not tried two husbands, she may not know which is better.’”
He contrasted the APC’s structure with PDP’s internal conflicts, saying, “In APC, we have a leader who, despite any flaws in selection choices, is committed to ensuring the party wins elections for the benefit of members and the state.”
Jandor expressed frustration over PDP’s repeated electoral failures in Lagos. “While in Lagos PDP, we had a leader who, at every election cycle, worked against his own party. We have chosen the better alternative.”
He also disclosed that Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, reached out to him immediately after his resignation from the PDP, urging him to return to the APC. “Upon hearing of my resignation, Seyi Tinubu called me immediately, saying, ‘Egbon, this is the time to come back home.’”
Jandor also praised Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila for persistently encouraging him to rejoin the ruling party for over a year.
Assuring President Tinubu of his commitment, he said, “We are ready to bring our experience and energy to the APC in achieving inclusive development for Lagosians.”
He urged his supporters to embrace this new political chapter, pledging to work for the progress of Lagos, regardless of whether he is on the ballot or not.