By Newsmata
The defeated Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 election, Dr. Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has announced his return to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Jandor, who dumped the APC few months to the governorship election to pick the ticket of the PDP, resigned from the party about two weeks ago.
Ahead of his defection announced at a press conference held at his campaign office, Jandor had held consultations with key political figures notably President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Confirming the wide consultations in a press statement last Thursday, his spokesperson, Gbenga Ogunleye said, “I can confirm that Dr Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran Jandor met with President Bola Tinubu on Monday (last week).
“He has earlier met with Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former President Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the SDP in the 2023 general elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, among other prominent national leaders. It is part of his ongoing consultation after his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party.
“The National Secretary of the PDP and other leaders of the party also visited him recently to appeal for the reconsideration of his resignation from the PDP.
“Dr Adediran will meet with his political associates and critical stakeholders in Lagos over the weekend and address the media by Monday, 17th March 2025.”
Jandor, a former APC member and founder of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, had presented himself as a fresh alternative to the long-standing APC government in Lagos.
To bolster his chances and appeal to a broader electorate, he chose popular Nollywood actress and producer Funke Akindele as his running mate.
Akindele’s selection was strategic, aiming to leverage her massive influence in the entertainment industry and among Lagos’s youth and urban voters. However, their campaign faced significant challenges, including internal party conflicts.
Despite their efforts to present a strong opposition, the Jandor-Akindele ticket was unsuccessful in unseating the APC government. They finished behind both the incumbent governor, Sanwo-Olu, and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party.