Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has officially withdrawn from the Lagos State governorship race under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement came just 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu endorsed the incumbent Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as the partyโs consensus candidate for the 2027 elections .Addressing the media at his Liberty House Secretariat in Ikeja, Jandor stated that his decision was made in the interest of party unity and respect for the partyโs leadership structure.
“Within hours after I purchased my nomination forms, there were developments, including a meeting involving the President and the Deputy Governor. It was subsequently made known that the President had endorsed Dr. Obafemi Hamzat,” Jandor explained.
“Based on my earlier position that I will align with the direction of the President, I have decided to withdraw from the race” .
The withdrawal marks a dramatic U-turn, as Jandor had formally purchased his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms only a day prior, vowing to contest the partyโs ticket just before the endorsement was sealed .
Full Political Trajectory: From Media to Movement to MainstreamJandorโs exit is the latest twist in a political career defined by strategic realignments and an undercurrent of ambition to break the established political structure of Lagos State.Early Career and Background (Born 1977)Born on November 25, 1977, in Mushin, Lagos, Abdul-Azeez Adediran is an energy consultant, entrepreneur, and media mogul .
He began his career as a journalist, spending over two decades in the media before pivoting to full-time politics. His educational background includes studies at The Polytechnic Ibadan, Modul University Vienna, Howard University, and Oxford University .
The “Lagos4Lagos” Movement (Inside APC)Jandorโs ideological vehicle has always been the Lagos4Lagos movementโa group he founded that sought to internal party reforms and challenge the old order within the ruling party. Initially, he was a card-carrying member of the APC.
However, in 2022, he led the movement out of the APC, citing marginalization of certain party members .2023: The PDP Gambit & Funke Akindele Leaving the APC, Jandor defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the 2023 governorship election.
In a move that captured public attention, he selected Nollywood superstar Funke Akindele as his running mate. Despite a vigorous campaign and significant media buzz, he lost to the incumbent APC Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Jandor later blamed his poor performance and loss on “anti-party activities” by PDP leaders who he claimed worked against him .2025: The Return to APC After a two-year hiatus, Jandor stunned observers by announcing his return to the APC in March 2025. Explaining the return, he used a colorful analogy, stating that “if a woman has not tried two husbands, she would not know which one is better” .
The move was widely seen as a strategic retreat, acknowledging that challenging the APC in Lagos is an uphill battle, and he needed to be inside the structure to win.2026: Brief Ambition & Sudden WithdrawalUpon returning, Jandor immediately set his sights on the 2027 ticket.
Despite warnings that the party leadershipโspecifically the Governorโs Advisory Council (GAC)โwas coalescing around Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Jandor purchased his nomination forms on April 28, 2026, insisting on adherence to “direct primaries” .
However, the endorsement of Hamzat by President Tinubu on April 29 effectively shut the door. This political reality forced Jandor to respect the partyโs “supremacy,” leading to his withdrawal on April 30 .
Analysis: What Next for Jandor?By withdrawing gracefully and reaffirming his “loyalty to President Tinubu,” Jandor has avoided a direct political confrontation that he was likely to lose.
Analysts suggest that this move preserves his political capital within the APC for future appointments or a later bid, rather than being crushed in a primary.
This marks the second consecutive election cycle where Jandor has carried the flag of a major party into a gubernatorial race, only to step aside or lose before the general election.
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