The 2023 Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdul-Azeez Adediran, also known as Jandor, has expressed disappointment in the party, stating that it has lost confidence in itself due to ongoing internal conflicts.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Tuesday, Jandor, who resigned from the PDP on Monday, described the leadership crisis at the party’s national headquarters as an embarrassment.
He pointed to the criticisms against the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who has been blamed for the party’s struggles, particularly after taking over from Iyorchia Ayu. The crisis within the PDP has worsened due to a dispute over the National Secretary position, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye, competing for the role.
Recent months have seen rising tensions, further deepening divisions within the party’s key structures, including the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee, and the National Executive Committee. The situation is particularly challenging in the South-South, where a zonal congress was held on February 22 without the approval of governors, adding to the party’s problems.
Jandor described these issues at both the national and state levels as damaging to the PDP’s public perception.
“Who goes around proudly identifying as a PDP member with all that is happening at both the national and state levels? The optics are bad,” he said.
He asserted that the party had essentially given up on itself.
“A political party is made up of people who come together to form it — it doesn’t exist in isolation.
“If the same toxicity remains within that circle, the same problems will persist. Today, the party is controlled by those who worked against it. So where do we even begin? And we are heading into another election cycle.
“This is 2025. Congresses and other processes will begin soon. By 2026, there will be primary elections, yet the same individuals are still in charge of the party. And people expect a different outcome? No, it won’t happen.”
Regarding his next political move, Jandor said he had yet to decide on joining another party.
“There are 18 political parties in Nigeria, so there are 17 other options. But we can’t just jump in — we will consult and evaluate our options.
“There are ongoing coalitions, people coming together to form alliances, so I truly don’t know where I’m headed yet, but discussions are ongoing.
“Wherever we end up, we will respect the people there and abide by the rules of the game.
“This is the path we have chosen, and we will stay on it. Only God can determine the outcome.”
