Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, the former Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for 2023 gubernatorial election in Lagos State, and now a major contender with the Lagos State deputy governor, Hamzat Obafemi, has withdrawn from the 2027 Lagos State governorship race under the All Progressives Congress.
Jandor announced his withdrawal in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Thursday, a day after purchasing the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms.
He said the decision followed the endorsement of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat by party leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Following the endorsement of Dr. Kadiri Hamzat by our Leader, the President of Nigeria, and Leaders of our party in Lagos, and in recognition of the prevailing realities within the political landscape of our great party, I have decided to withdraw from the 2027 Lagos State gubernatorial race,” he said.
Jandor said his decision was taken in the interest of party unity, stressing that it was not a sign of weakness but of discipline and commitment to the APC.
“This decision is not borne out of weakness or a lack of capacity, but out of strength, discipline, and a deep respect for party cohesion and unity,” he added.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged support for the party’s direction in the state, urging members and supporters to remain united.
Jandor also expressed appreciation to members of the Lagos4Lagos Movement for their support, describing the group as a platform driven by equity, inclusion and better governance.
The development comes amid ongoing political alignments within the APC ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Lagos State.
The governorship race in Lagos State ahead of 2027 began to take shape following consultations within the ruling All Progressives Congress, particularly through the influential Governance Advisory Council, which plays a key role in succession decisions in the state.
The process gained momentum after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and members of the GAC publicly threw their weight behind Hamzat as the preferred successor in the forthcoming election cycle.
The endorsement was later reinforced during a visit by Lagos APC leaders to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja, where party stakeholders presented Hamzat as the consensus choice of the Lagos political establishment.