Jandor declares independence from Tinubu, eyes 2027 Lagos governorship bid

The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has asserted that he does not need to consult with President Bola Tinubu to become the governor of Lagos.

Jandor made this statement during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, emphasizing his independence and determination to achieve his political ambition on his own terms.

Jandor’s political career began within the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he was a notable figure before breaking away with his Lagos4Lagos Movement, a faction within the ruling party.

In 2022, he left the APC and joined the PDP, securing the party’s ticket to contest the 2023 Lagos governorship election.

However, he was defeated by the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC, who secured re-election.

Following his loss, Jandor remained vocal about his dissatisfaction with the internal politics of the PDP, particularly accusing some party leaders of sabotage.

Recently, Jandor announced his decision to exit the PDP, citing grievances over the party’s handling of internal discipline and his claim that some members openly engaged in anti-party activities during the 2023 election.

“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,” he explained.

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“We waited patiently for two years to see whether that would happen, but instead of that, the same person was appointed Vice Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee by the national leadership,” he added, expressing his discontent.

Despite leaving the PDP, Jandor reaffirmed his commitment to contesting the Lagos governorship seat in 2027. He stated that he remains open to joining any political party that aligns with his vision and would provide him the platform to realize his ambition.

“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,” he said, reiterating his resolve to pursue his political aspirations.

Jandor’s comments come amid growing speculation about his next political move, with analysts closely watching to see which party he aligns with ahead of the 2027 elections.

His break from the PDP and assertion of independence from the influence of political heavyweights like President Tinubu set the stage for an intriguing contest in the next Lagos governorship election.