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LAGOS,Nigeria (NAN) - The PDP's governorship candidate for Lagos State in 2023, Azeez Adediran (Jandor), has announced his departure from the party.
In an announcement made on Monday at his office in Ikeja, Adediran cited betrayal by PDP elders as the reason for his resignation.
“After careful consideration and thorough discussions with my family, political associates, and supporters, we have come to the challenging conclusion to resign from the People’s Democratic Party,” he stated.
He mentioned that the state chapter's inability to resolve its internal conflicts also contributed to his decision.
Adediran, who leads the Lagos4Lagos Movement, affirmed that he was leaving the PDP along with all his supporters across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State.
He indicated that he would disclose his next political steps in a few months and expressed his commitment to the state's development regardless of his political affiliations. “I stand before you today with a heavy heart but a clear conscience. We have devoted ourselves to the tenets of democracy, good governance, and the quest for a better Lagos.
“However, it has become clear that the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party, both at the state and national levels, has failed to uphold these values.
The ongoing anti-party actions, internal sabotage, and lack of discipline within the party have significantly undermined our joint efforts and rendered genuine progress unattainable,” Adediran remarked.
The former candidate reflected on how he campaigned on a platform of transformation, development, and a desire for positive change.
He noted that during the election campaigns, his team received enthusiastic and steadfast backing from loyal party members, particularly at the grassroots level. Nonetheless, he added that some party leaders felt threatened by his candidacy and obstructed the path to victory.
“Regrettably, the internal betrayal and the absence of commitment from party leadership hampered our prospects and left many supporters feeling confused and disheartened.
We faced attacks on six separate occasions during the campaign, yet neither the state party chairman nor any leader issued a statement condemning such incidents,” he revealed.
Adediran explained that after the election, his team lodged a formal complaint to the national party, anticipating that appropriate actions would be taken against those involved in anti-party activities.
“We have waited this long to see if any relief would come, but what we observe, even at higher levels, is that the same leaders who campaigned and worked openly against the party are the ones currently in charge.
“How can we trust the same individuals again in the next election cycle, and how can we forgive those who do not regret their actions?” he asked.
He reiterated that his commitment to the people of Lagos remains steadfast and emphasized that he would consult with stakeholders regarding the next course of action.
