Former gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 Lagos State elections, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has formally visited Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House in Ikeja following his return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
EpeInsights reports that the high-profile meeting, held behind closed doors on Tuesday, marked the first official engagement between the two politicians since Adediran’s defection from the PDP back to the ruling APC in March 2025.
Speaking with correspondents from the Governor’s Office after the meeting, Adediran explained that the visit was primarily to formally present himself and his political structure to the Governor, signaling a full reintegration into the party he left before the last election.
“I came here to visit the Governor of Lagos State and to present myself and my group to him following our return to the APC,” Adediran stated.
Adediran, who had contested against Governor Sanwo-Olu in the March 2023 election as the PDP’s standard bearer, praised the Governor’s leadership style, especially his composure and maturity during the heat of the campaign period.
“Despite the many attacks and harsh words that came with the campaign season, Mr. Governor remained calm and focused. That is the mark of a true leader,” he said.
The former PDP candidate acknowledged that his political movement had evolved and that the decision to return to the APC was based on the need to align with a platform that could better support the vision he holds for Lagos State.
He also noted that politics is dynamic and that returning to the APC was a strategic move rooted in long-term developmental goals for the state.
Looking ahead, Adediran pledged his commitment to the success of the APC in upcoming political contests, particularly the forthcoming Local Government elections and the 2027 general elections.
“We are fully back and ready to contribute meaningfully to the continued development of Lagos. Our structure is now aligned with the ruling party, and we’ll be actively involved in ensuring APC’s victory at all levels.”
While details of the closed-door discussion were not made public, sources within both camps describe the meeting as “cordial and forward-looking,” with emphasis on unity, inclusion and collaborative governance.
Adediran’s return to the APC marks a significant political realignment in Lagos State.
As the face of the PDP’s 2023 governorship campaign, he had posed a formidable challenge to the ruling party, drawing attention with his “Lagos4Lagos” movement, which emphasized homegrown leadership and inclusive governance.
His defection is seen by analysts as a boost to APC’s internal consolidation ahead of future electoral contests.
Governor Sanwo-Olu has yet to issue an official statement regarding the visit, but aides at the Lagos House described the Governor as being “receptive and gracious,” underscoring his ongoing efforts to build a broader, more inclusive political base within the state.
The APC in Lagos has also not released a formal statement, but party insiders suggest that Jandor’s reintegration is being handled with a focus on party unity and reconciliation.
With this visit, political watchers say Lagos’ political landscape is set for further shifts, especially as both old and new players begin to realign in anticipation of the next election cycle.
