Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, an aspirant for the 2027 Lagos governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has purchased the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms.
The development comes less than 48 hours after Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, endorsed Obafemi Hamzat, his deputy, as his preferred successor.
At a meeting with party leaders at the Lagos House, Alausa, on Monday, Sanwo-Olu publicly declared support for Hamzat, describing him as the “best man for the job”.
At the end of the meeting, the governor embraced his deputy and raised his hand before party leaders in a symbolic gesture that drew applause.
The following day, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the apex decision-making body of the APC in Lagos, also endorsed Hamzat as the consensus candidate for the forthcoming governorship election.
Speaking after a meeting at Lagos House, Marina, GAC chairman Tajudeen Olusi said members of the council had unanimously agreed to back Hamzat’s candidacy.
Despite the endorsements, Jandor, in a post on his Instagram page on Wednesday, said his decision to obtain the nomination form was guided by the official position of the party on direct primaries.
He said party elders are free to support any aspirant of their choice.
“I have taken the significant step of formally picking up my Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the forthcoming elections,” he said, displaying his picture with the forms.
“While I respect the decisions of some of our Elders and party Leaders, endorsing Aspirant of their choice, I am guided by the official position of the party on direct primaries as communicated to all party members and aspirants alike.
“Should the party come up with the second option of nominating party candidates as enshrined in the electoral act 2026, I will surely align and respect the supremacy of the party.”
Jandor added that political trust must be earned through engagement and service rather than rhetoric, stressing that his ambition is driven by a desire to contribute to governance and democratic development.
“My decision to proceed on this path is therefore anchored in a clear understanding of the challenges before us, and an even clearer resolve to contribute meaningfully to deepening our democracy and advance our shared aspirations for a better society,” he said.
“Now, the moment for symbolism gives way to the imperative of action. It is time to do the work deliberately, diligently, and together to achieve the future we seek.”
On April 11, Jandor said he was ready to support a consensus candidate if the party leadership eventually adopts that option.
TheCable
