The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Abdulazeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has officially declared his intention to contest the governorship election again in 2027 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Jandor made the declaration on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he stressed that his decision to re-contest was driven by a renewed determination to govern Lagos and his confidence in the ruling party’s backing.
Recall that In March, Jandor dumped the PDP and returned to the APC, citing indiscipline and anti-party activities within the opposition as his reasons for defecting.
“What you heard yesterday is for us to once again express our can-do ability and give a shot to the same seat that we gunned for during the last electioneering process,” he said.
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock till 2031; otherwise, I would have said maybe the next thing should be me running for president. But for Lagos, I am running in 2027, and I have so declared.”
The former PDP candidate, who had contested against incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2023, dismissed claims that his name was absent from early succession speculations within APC circles.
“I don’t know the names you’re hearing. Of course, we have members in the APC that are very qualified to run for the office of governor of Lagos State. But I’ve not heard anyone come out to say, ‘I’m running.’
“My name can’t be there because I haven’t employed any proxy to do that on my behalf. I am coming out as Jandor to speak for myself and say this is what I’m doing,” he stated.
He acknowledged other potential contenders within the APC, including Seyi Tinubu, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, and former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, but emphasised his edge as the only one among them with prior ballot experience.
“Okay, all the names you mentioned,Seyi, former Governor Ambode, and Tokunbo Abiru are qualified to contest for Lagos governor, and this includes Seyi himself.
“But aside from the former governor, none of the others mentioned have been on the ballot as governorship candidates other than myself. So, I come with that experience, as somebody who has singlehandedly gone through that process without any backing,” Jandor argued.
According to him, with the support of President Bola Tinubu and the Lagos APC structure, his chances in 2027 would be significantly boosted.
“You can now imagine what would happen this time if I have the solid backing of the president and the party in Lagos State; it will be a walkover,” he said.
Jandor, however, maintained that he would respect the party’s decision if another aspirant emerges as the APC flagbearer.
“At the end of the day, whoever the party selects, we will all support that candidate. But for my part, I am running for Lagos governor in 2027 and have officially declared so,” he affirmed.
