By Ghazali Ibrahim 
Dr. Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This development comes just two weeks after he resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Jandor made the announcement in a press conference at his campaign office in Ikeja on Monday.
His decision to join the APC marks a significant shift in Lagos politics, especially given his history with the party.
Prior to his defection, Jandor had been a member of the PDP and was the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 Lagos State governorship election.
He had emerged as the party’s candidate after defeating other aspirants in the primaries.
During his campaign, Jandor presented himself as a fresh alternative to the long-standing APC government in Lagos.
He chose popular Nollywood actress and producer Funke Akindele as his running mate, a move aimed at leveraging her massive influence in the entertainment industry and among Lagos’s youth and urban voters.
However, despite his efforts, the Jandor-Akindele ticket was unsuccessful in unseating the APC government.
They finished behind both the incumbent governor, Sanwo-Olu, and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party.
In March 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the March 18 Lagos governorship election.
Jandor’s defection to the APC comes after a series of consultations with prominent political figures, including President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
His spokesperson, Gbenga Ogunleye, had confirmed in a statement that Jandor met with President Tinubu on Monday last week.
According to Ogunleye, Jandor has been holding consultations with various national leaders, including former President Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, and the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo.
The National Secretary of the PDP and other leaders of the party had also visited Jandor recently to appeal for the reconsideration of his resignation from the PDP.
Jandor’s defection to the APC has sparked interest, with many wondering what this means for Lagos politics ahead of future elections.
As a former APC member and founder of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, which advocated for internal democracy within the party, Jandor’s return to the APC is seen as a significant development in the state’s political landscape.
