Jandor: I’ll run for Lagos governorship in 2027, ready to back Seyi Tinubu if he clinches APC ticket

Abdulazeez Adediran, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos during the 2023 elections, says he will contest the seat again in 2027.

Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, spoke on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Thursday.

He also pledged to support any candidate, including Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, if he emerges as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the state.

In March, Jandor resigned from the PDP and joined the APC, citing indiscipline and anti-party activities within the opposition party.

He finished third in the 2023 elections with 62,449 votes, behind Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC, who secured 762,134 votes.

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP) garnered 312,329 votes.

When asked if he will step down for the president’s son ahead of the 2027 elections, Jandon said all the aspirants would work for whoever the party chooses as the flagbearer.

He, however, said Seyi is less experienced than him, noting that the president’s son has never appeared on the ballot before.

“Okay, all the names you mentioned—Seyi, former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, and Tokunbo Abiru—are qualified to contest for Lagos governor, and this includes Seyi himself, every one of them,” he said.

“And you’re not taking anything from anyone. Aside from the former governor, none of the others mentioned, including Seyi, have actually contested a governorship election like I have.

“So, I come with that experience, having gone through the entire electoral process alone, without backing, and learnt the complexities involved in campaigning and winning in Lagos.

“At the end of the day, whoever the party selects, we will all support that candidate, but for my part, I am running for Lagos governor in 2027 and have officially declared.

“Like I said, if we find ourselves on the field as aspirants running for the ticket and the leadership of the party decides to say it is Mr A that we are presenting at the end of the day, all of us will fall in line and work for the party.”

There have been speculations about Seyi Tinubu’s ambition to run for the Lagos governorship, but the president’s son is yet to announce his intention.

‘2027 ELECTION WILL BE A WALKOVER FOR TINUBU’

Jandor also predicted a decisive victory for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing the expansion of the president’s political influence across the nation since 2023.

He noted that the political upsets Tinubu faced in 2023, including losing Lagos to Peter Obi of the LP, would not occur again during the 2027 elections under similar circumstances.

“2027, not only in Lagos but across the country, is going to be a walkover for the man whose courage and leadership have contributed so much to Nigeria today,” he said.

“Remember, in 2023, Jandor and his Lagos for Lagos movement were outside the system, and this time, we are back inside, so the outcome will be entirely different from what happened in 2023.

“What you heard yesterday reflects our determination to demonstrate our capabilities and compete again for the governorship seat we contested in the previous election cycle.

“Of course, because there is no vacancy at Aso Rock until 2031, my next step is to run again for the same office, rather than considering the presidency at this time.

“So, as announced, we are keeping focused, doing what is necessary, and mobilising support for the party across Lagos State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.”