By Deborah Nnamdi
Olajide Adediran, widely known as Jandor, the 2023 Lagos State governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has announced his return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Jandor announced on Monday, alongside his supporters, during a media briefing held at Liberty Place, Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja, Lagos.
This announcement follows a private meeting between Jandor and President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock, Abuja, last week, where undisclosed matters were discussed.
Before he met with Tinubu, Jandor engaged in talks with various political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former military President Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, and 2023 SDP Presidential Candidate Adewole Adebayo.
Jandor had previously resigned from the PDP, citing issues of indiscipline and anti-party activities, as well as being betrayed by the party leadership just before the Lagos governorship election. He also referenced false claims of an alliance that misled PDP supporters into voting for a different candidate.
He said, “Our story in the PDP was a case of working with perennial political saboteurs but we have resolved to love our future much more than we hate our past.
“After extensive consultations with family, political associates, elder statesmen, supporters, and well-meaning Lagosians who share our vision for a greater and more prosperous Lagos, and in identifying that the primary reason a political party exists is to win elections and ultimately form the government to contribute to the welfare, security and total development of the people, we wish to formally announce that we have decided to join a political party that considers winning for its members as a top priority, not minding who is on the ballot.
“We have decided to return to the All Progressives Congress.
“Before you are quick to remind me of the reasons upon which we left APC in the first place, let me respond with a popular Yoruba adage that says if a woman has not tried two husbands, she probably would not know which is better.
“In APC, we have a leader; even if you fault his selection choices, you can’t fault his desire to always win for his party to the benefit of all members, followers, and the state.
“While in Lagos PDP, you have a leader that will, at every election cycle, work against his party and willfully dash the hopes of many party members and followers. We have chosen the better alternative,” he stated.
“Our return to the APC is not a decision made lightly. It is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to the progress of Lagos State and our belief that unity among progressives is essential to achieving the collective aspirations of our people,” he added.
