The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has officially announced his resignation from the party. Speaking at a media briefing in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, he cited internal crisis, lack of discipline, and sabotage by party leaders as reasons for his departure.
Adediran expressed his disappointment with the PDP’s leadership at both the state and national levels, accusing them of undermining the party’s chances in the 2023 elections. “I stand before you today with a heavy heart but a clear conscience. We have dedicated ourselves to the ideals of democracy, good governance, and the pursuit of a better Lagos. However, it has become evident that the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has failed to uphold these principles,” he said.
He specifically accused former PDP Deputy National Chairman Olabode George of working against the party during the election. According to Adediran, George not only refused to support the PDP’s presidential candidate but also publicly endorsed a rival gubernatorial candidate. “A few days to the election, the supposed leader of the party in Lagos State, Olabode George, openly declared support for the gubernatorial candidate of another party and advised Lagosians not to vote for the PDP,” he alleged.
Adediran further stated that after the elections, he and his team reported these alleged anti-party activities to the PDP’s national leadership, expecting disciplinary action. However, instead of sanctioning those involved, the party appointed George as Vice Chairman of a disciplinary committee. “We have waited this long to see if there will be some sort of respite, but what we see, even at the top, is that the same set of leaders that worked against the party are the ones holding the aces today,” he lamented.
Following extensive consultations with his political associates, supporters, and family, Adediran said he had no choice but to leave the PDP. He assured his followers that his commitment to the people of Lagos remained strong and that he would soon announce his next political move. “Our commitment to the people of Lagos remains unwavering. We will continue to advocate for policies and initiatives that will uplift our state, regardless of our political affiliation,” he stated.
Reacting to the allegations, Bode George dismissed Adediran’s claims, calling him “an undignified fellow” and insisting that he would not engage in a back-and-forth with him. “I would not respond to him. He is a boy, and my children are not his age mates,” George said. He also denied being part of any disciplinary committee, stating, “He is the one who knows the lies he has been telling about me. I am not a member of any Disciplinary Committee; he is just lying about it.”
George further criticized those who introduced Adediran to the party, suggesting they had misrepresented his true character. “It is good riddance to bad rubbish. I don’t want to reply to him, but just to say he is an undignified fellow. I wish him the best of luck,” he added.
