TheCable

Abdul-Azeez Adediran, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, has responded to a comment by Babatunde Fashola, minister of works and former governor of the state.

Speaking at an event on Thursday, Fashola had made a taunting remark which appeared targeted at Adediran, better known as Jandor.

Adediran was a member of the former governor’s media team.

“So, following a governor, being a cameraman, and watching me for eight years, and you think you will now be a governor? You are not ready,” Fashola had said.

Responding in a statement, Jandor cited a reference to a camera found by the minister following the Lekki tollgate shooting during the #EndSARS protests.

The PDP candidate added that while he sees nothing wrong in being a cameraman, he never rendered such service to the former Lagos governor.

“While this may come as a shock to many who may have heard me speak well of him and his achievements in Lagos, despite being the flagbearer of the main opposition party in the same Lagos, let me quickly signpost a reminder that this is the season of calumnies and the APC [is] expectedly under pressure to sell their unenviable records to the now very discerning electorate of Lagos,” the PDP candidate said.

“There is clearly a brief to all the beneficiaries of the status quo to publicly show where their support lie.

“In June of 2020, an extract from BRF’s condolence message to me on the loss of my mum, in black print, states: ‘your very inspiring life story… turned into a ladder for educational success, entrepreneurial acumen and visionary leadership aspirations’. It is just a few weeks to elections and the story has suddenly changed.

“Records must be kept straight, however, especially for varying audiences who may be misled by my very dear Boss and former Governor of Lagos.

“While I insist that there is absolutely nothing untoward about being a cameraman, and I must apologise to hordes of cameramen out there who have made a mark for themselves in their craft and may feel smeaerd by my respected Boss’s remark, I was never a cameraman.

“As a matter of fact, I was absorbed into the service of government of Lagos State Broadcasting Service as a Reportorial and Editorial Executive, and camera handling was certainly not the professional services I rendered to BRF, and the Lagos state government under his watch.

“I really don’t know what it is with my Oga (Boss) and cameras lately. This is reminding me of that famous missing camera he magically found at Lekki toll gate, the scene of the Endsars massacre.”

Jandor added that he still has much respect for Fashola, but he remains committed to the PDP’s vision of ensuring a better Lagos.

“BRF has my respect still, nothing will change that. Personally, I can’t wait to show the residents of Lagos that a lot more can be achieved way beyond what their celebrated over N50b revenue is currently doing, under the watch of a truly independent Governor that has no ties to a godfather’s apron strings,” he said.

“We will break Lagos free and my Boss, BRF, will be proud of our achievements!”

My attention has been drawn to disparaging statements made by my Boss, former Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Fashola earlier today at an event in Lagos. He reportedly referred to me as a cameraman who is not ready to govern Lagos.

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— Azeez Olajide Adediran (@officialjandor) February 9, 2023