One of the contenders in the 2027 Lagos State governorship race, Olajide Adediran, widely known as Jandor, has officially stepped down from the contest under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adediran revealed his decision on Thursday while speaking to journalists, party stakeholders from the Lagos4Lagos Movement, and his supporters at Liberty House, Adeniyi Jones Secretariat in Ikeja. He publicly endorsed the candidacy of the incumbent Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.
Clarifying his move, Adediran explained that recent happenings within the party shaped his choice. “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.
“Based on my earlier position that I will align with the direction of the President, I have decided to withdraw from the race,” he said.
He called on his supporters to stay calm and respect the party’s internal procedures, stressing the importance of unity and discipline within the APC. According to him, his withdrawal demonstrates his respect for party supremacy and trust in its internal democratic system.
The aspirant also reaffirmed his allegiance to Bola Tinubu and expressed gratitude to party leaders in Lagos State for their continued support and guidance.
It will be recalled that Adediran had only purchased his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms a day earlier to contest the governorship election.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, had earlier secured his nomination form, reportedly with the backing of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC)—the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos State—led by Tajudeen Olusi, alongside Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other party leaders.
