Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, the 2023 Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He announced his return on Monday, March 17, 2025, during a press conference at his campaign office in Ikeja, Lagos.
Jandor, who resigned from the PDP two weeks ago, cited internal sabotage, lack of party discipline, and a toxic political culture as reasons for his departure. “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,” he declared.
The former PDP flagbearer revealed that his decision followed “extensive consultations with family, political associates, elder statesmen, supporters, and well-meaning Lagosians who share our vision for a greater and more prosperous Lagos.” He confirmed holding discussions with multiple political parties, including the SDP, ADC, and YPP, before ultimately choosing to return to the APC.
In a scathing critique of Lagos PDP leadership, Jandor accused the party’s leaders of hypocrisy, internal betrayals, and persistent electoral failures. “Gentlemen of the press, I appeal that you ask their Supreme Leader, Chief Olabode George, whenever he appears on your medium, why he hasn’t won his polling unit for PDP since he joined the party over 20 years ago. I am sure he will tell you it was because of Jandor,” he remarked sarcastically.
Dismissing claims that he was responsible for PDP’s loss in the 2023 elections, Jandor challenged party leaders to present evidence of their own polling unit results. “I won my polling unit for PDP in both the presidential and governorship elections. Even the Lagos PDP Chairman, who released a false statement on the eve of the election asking party members to vote for another party, could not deliver his own polling unit,” he asserted.
Explaining his return to the APC, Jandor said: “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: if a woman has not tried two husbands, she probably would not know which is better.”
He praised the APC’s leadership structure, contrasting it with what he described as PDP’s culture of self-sabotage. “In APC, we have a leader who, 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. In Lagos PDP, you have a leader who, at every election cycle, works against his own party and willfully dashes the hopes of many party members and followers. We have chosen the better alternative.”
Jandor expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, for encouraging his return. “Upon hearing the news of my resignation from PDP, Mr. Seyi Tinubu immediately put a call across to say, ‘Egbon, this is the time to come back home,’” he disclosed.
He assured his supporters that the decision was taken in the best interest of Lagos and urged them to embrace the transition. “Let me assure Mr. President of our readiness to contribute our experience, vision, and energy to the ongoing work of making Nigeria a place of opportunities, growth, and inclusive development,” he affirmed.
Jandor concluded by emphasizing his commitment to “service, integrity, and progress,” promising to work towards a “Lagos that works for everyone.”
