The political fallout from Abdul-Azeez Adediran’s (Jandor) defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) back to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a dramatic turn, with a prominent PDP chieftain alleging that Jandor was never truly committed to the party. According to the party stalwart, his presence within the PDP was a calculated move to weaken its structure from within.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos, the PDP leader, who chose to remain anonymous, accused Jandor of playing a double game. “From the onset, we suspected he was planted in our party to create division. Now, his defection back to the APC confirms our fears—he was never PDP, but an agent of destabilization,” the source claimed.
Jandor’s initial move to the PDP in 2021 was seen as a potential game-changer for the opposition in Lagos. As a former APC insider who led the Lagos4Lagos Movement, he was expected to bring grassroots mobilization and fresh momentum to the PDP’s campaign. However, after an underwhelming electoral performance in the 2023 gubernatorial election, internal party conflicts and leadership struggles left his position in the party uncertain.
Jandor’s Defense: A Case of Sour Grapes?
Jandor, on his part, has dismissed the allegations as baseless and a reflection of the PDP’s internal dysfunction. In a statement released after his return to the APC, he insisted that his decision was based on the PDP’s lack of unity and strategic direction, rather than any hidden agenda.
“I gave my best to the PDP, but when a party is unwilling to reform and take governance seriously, the best decision is to move on. I did not come to PDP to destroy it—I came to win, but they were not ready,” Jandor said.
His return to the APC has been welcomed by the ruling party, with top members describing it as a homecoming that strengthens the APC’s dominance in Lagos. However, some analysts see the move as part of a broader trend in Nigerian politics, where defections are often less about ideology and more about personal and strategic positioning.
The Bigger Picture: PDP’s Struggles in Lagos
Regardless of whether Jandor’s defection was premeditated or a response to PDP’s internal challenges, the move underscores the ongoing crisis within the party in Lagos. The opposition has struggled to present a united front against the APC, with internal rifts and leadership conflicts hindering its ability to mount a serious challenge in the state.
Some party members believe that rather than blaming Jandor, the PDP should focus on restructuring and strategizing for future elections. “We must ask ourselves why defections keep happening. If we don’t fix our internal issues, more leaders will leave,” a PDP insider told TheLink News NG.
With Jandor back in the APC, the question remains: will his political influence remain strong enough to make a difference, or will he fade into the background in a party where power dynamics are already well established?
As Lagos politics continues to evolve, the real impact of Jandor’s defection may only become clear in the coming months, as both APC and PDP recalibrate their strategies for the future.
