Jandor Steps Back, Backs Party Unity in Lagos Race

The political atmosphere in Lagos shifted as Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, widely known as Jandor, addressed supporters and party faithful on April 30, 2026, with a message that balanced ambition with restraint.

Just days earlier, Jandor had taken a bold step toward the 2027 Lagos governorship race under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC), purchasing his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms. The move signalled readiness, built on consultations and a clear desire to shape the future of Lagos State.

But politics, as Jandor would soon remind his audience, is as much about timing and unity as it is about aspiration.

In a surprising turn, he announced his withdrawal from the race. The decision followed the endorsement of Kadiri Hamzat by party leaders, including the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. For Jandor, the message from the party hierarchy was unmistakable—and one that required discipline to accept.

He framed his withdrawal not as a retreat, but as a deliberate act of leadership. In his words, it was a choice guided by strength, respect for party structure, and the need to preserve unity within the APC.

Standing firm in loyalty, Jandor reaffirmed his commitment to the party and expressed deep respect for President Tinubu, whose influence remains pivotal in both Lagos politics and the broader national landscape. Aligning with the party’s direction, he urged supporters to see the moment not as a setback, but as a strategic pause in a longer journey of service.

For members of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, a group that has rallied behind his vision, his message carried a tone of reassurance. The movement, he said, was never about one man, but about a shared pursuit of equity, inclusion, and a better Lagos. That mission, he emphasised, remains unchanged.

Calling for calm and cohesion, Jandor encouraged stakeholders to resist division and instead strengthen the party’s collective front ahead of future contests. Politics, he noted, is a continuum, and today’s decision is only one chapter in a broader story.

As his address drew to a close, gratitude took centre stage, toward the media for their role, and toward supporters whose loyalty has sustained his political journey.

Though he may have stepped away from the 2027 race, Jandor made one thing clear: his commitment to Lagos and the APC remains unwavering, and his role in shaping the state’s future is far from over.