2023 PDP Governorship Candidate Jandor Defects from Party, Cites Internal Strife as Reason

In a stunning political twist, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, widely known as Jandor, the 2023 governorship candidate for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, has officially severed ties with the party. The announcement, made public on Monday, March 3, 2025, as reported by Sundiata Post, marks the end of Jandor’s journey with the PDP, a platform he once championed in his bid to lead Nigeria’s commercial hub. Accompanied by a photograph capturing the moment of his declaration, Jandor’s exit underscores a deepening crisis within the opposition party, raising questions about its cohesion ahead of future electoral battles.

Jandor’s decision stems from what he describes as irreconcilable differences and persistent anti-party activities within the PDP. In a statement brimming with frustration, he accused certain party leaders of undermining collective goals through actions that favored personal interests over unity. “The level of anti-party activities and the lack of adherence to the party’s ethos of equity and fairness compelled me to take this step,” he said, hinting at a betrayal of the ideals he had campaigned on during the 2023 election cycle. While he did not name specific individuals, his remarks point to longstanding factionalism that has plagued the PDP, both in Lagos and at the national level.

His departure is not entirely unexpected. Jandor’s tenure as the PDP’s flagbearer in Lagos was marked by challenges, including a third-place finish in the 2023 governorship race, where he polled 62,449 votes against the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s 762,134, and the Labour Party’s Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s 312,329. The election exposed internal rifts within the Lagos PDP, with some members reportedly working at cross-purposes, a dynamic Jandor alluded to in his exit statement. His ambitious campaign, buoyed by his choice of Nollywood actress Funke Akindele as running mate, failed to dislodge the APC’s dominance, a loss that some analysts attribute to the PDP’s disarray as much as the ruling party’s stronghold.

The timing of Jandor’s exit adds intrigue. Just a day prior, on March 2, he was among prominent PDP figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who gathered in Lagos to pay condolences to the family of the late Afenifere leader Chief Ayo Adebanjo. That same evening, he attended a dinner hosted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, alongside Atiku, Jonathan, and other PDP heavyweights like Bukola Saraki. The optics of unity at these events contrast sharply with Jandor’s subsequent announcement, suggesting that his decision may have crystallized amid—or despite—these high-profile interactions.

Jandor’s political journey has been one of bold moves. Before his PDP candidacy, he was a lesser-known figure who rose to prominence by leveraging grassroots mobilization and media savvy. His choice of Akindele as deputy was a calculated play to appeal to younger voters and pop culture enthusiasts, though it couldn’t overcome the PDP’s organizational weaknesses in Lagos—a state the party has never governed since 1999. Now, his exit statement hints at a search for a new political home, though he stopped short of revealing his next destination. “I will consult widely with my supporters and announce my future plans in due course,” he said, leaving room for speculation about a potential coalition or defection to another party, such as the Labour Party, which showed strength in Lagos in 2023.

The PDP’s response has been muted so far, but Jandor’s departure is a blow to its already fragile standing in Lagos. The party has struggled to regain footing since its national loss in 2015, with internal power struggles—evident in the Wike-Atiku rivalry and regional factionalism—hampering its ability to present a united front. In Lagos, the PDP has been particularly vulnerable, unable to capitalize on public discontent with the APC’s governance. Jandor’s exit could trigger further defections, especially among his loyalists, who may feel disillusioned by the same issues he cited.

Broader implications loom. Nigeria’s political landscape is increasingly fluid, with defections becoming a norm as politicians realign ahead of the 2027 elections. Jandor’s move echoes other recent shifts, like the defection of Edo PDP chieftain Felix Isuku in 2024, and reflects a growing impatience with traditional party structures. His emphasis on “anti-party activities” also resonates with critiques from figures like former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, who years ago flagged imposition of candidates and lack of internal democracy as PDP maladies—issues that persist unresolved.

For now, Jandor’s photograph—likely a poised, resolute image from his announcement—stands as a symbol of his break from the past. Whether this marks the end of his PDP chapter or the beginning of a new political saga remains to be seen. As Lagos and Nigeria watch, his next move could either reshape local politics or fade into the crowded annals of defection stories.