A few days after he met with President Bola Tinubu in Aso Rock, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adediran was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos in 2023.
Before his meeting with President Tinubu, Adediran, who contested the election with Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, as his running mate, had announced his resignation from the PDP.
As photographs of his meeting with Tinubu appeared on the internet, many had speculated that he would join the APC.
At a press conference on Monday at his office in Ikeja, Lagos, Adediran announced his defection to the APC.
He said he was leaving the PDP because the party has been taken over by internal crises and a lack of party discipline. He said he became frustrated because of the party’s poor handling of the internal crisis especially in Lagos as well as the alleged anti-party posture of some of PDP leaders during the election.
“Our experience in the PDP was marred by working with political saboteurs, but we’ve decided to prioritize our future over the past.
“After extensive consultations with family, political associates, elder statesmen, and supporters—who all share our vision for a more prosperous Lagos—we’ve realized that a political party’s core mission is to win elections and form a government that enhances the welfare, security, and development of the people.
“As such, we have made the decision to join a political party that prioritizes victory for its members, regardless of who is on the ballot,” he said.
Noting how he consulted widely before taking his decision on which party to join, hesaidd he checked the Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Young Progressive Party (YPP).
“If a woman has not tried two husbands, she may not know which one is better.
“In the APC, we have a leader who, regardless of criticisms, is committed to ensuring victory for his party, benefiting all members, followers, and the state. In contrast, in the Lagos PDP, we had a leader who consistently worked against his own party and dashed the hopes of many party members. We’ve chosen the better alternative.
“I want to express my gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who recognized our contributions to democracy and nation-building.
“I must also recognize the tireless efforts of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, who has been encouraging me for over a year to come ‘home.’ When I resigned from the PDP, Seyi Tinubu immediately reached out, urging me to come back. His actions reflect the values he has learned from the best.
“We remain committed to service, integrity, and progress. Together, we will continue to work towards a better Lagos for current and future generations,” he said.
