A Lagos politician, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, has withdrawn from the 2027 Lagos State governorship race under the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing party unity and alignment with prevailing political realities.
Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, announced his decision in a statement shared via his Facebook page on Thursday, just a day after purchasing the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms.
He said the move followed the endorsement of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, by key party leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Following the endorsement of Dr. Kadiri Hamzat by our Leader, the President of Nigeria, and leaders of our party in Lagos, and in recognition of the prevailing realities within the political landscape of our great party, I have decided to withdraw from the 2027 Lagos State gubernatorial race,” he said.
Jandor stressed that his decision was not due to a lack of capacity but rather a demonstration of discipline and loyalty to the party.
“This decision is not borne out of weakness or a lack of capacity, but out of strength, discipline, and a deep respect for party cohesion and unity,” he added.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the APC and pledged full support for the party’s direction in Lagos, urging his supporters to remain united.
Adediran also appreciated members of the Lagos4Lagos Movement for their backing, describing the group as one committed to equity, inclusion, and improved governance.
The development comes amid intensified political alignments within the APC ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Lagos State.
The race has gained momentum following consultations among party stakeholders, particularly within the influential Governance Advisory Council, which plays a key role in leadership succession in the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and members of the council had earlier thrown their support behind Hamzat as the preferred successor, a position later reinforced during a visit by Lagos APC leaders to President Tinubu in Abuja, where he was presented as the consensus candidate.
With Jandor’s withdrawal, the consolidation around Hamzat appears to signal a clearer direction for the ruling party’s strategy ahead of the 2027 polls.
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