Lagos politician, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has officially withdrawn from the race for the 2027 Lagos State governorship ticket under the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a move that reshapes early political calculations in the state.
Jandor announced his decision in Lagos, citing party unity and alignment with the broader direction of the APC leadership as key reasons for stepping down.
According to him, recent political developments within the party, including the emergence of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as a consensus candidate backed by influential party stakeholders, informed his decision.
His withdrawal follows the reported endorsement of Hamzat by President Bola Tinubu and the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos State.
Jandor said his earlier ambition to contest was based on conviction and wide consultation, but noted that leadership sometimes requires prioritizing collective interest over personal ambition. He also urged his supporters to remain committed to party unity and the internal selection process.
Political observers believe his exit significantly strengthens Hamzat’s position as the frontrunner for the APC ticket ahead of 2027, especially as the party appears to be consolidating around a consensus arrangement in Lagos.
Jandor had recently re-entered the APC and shown interest in the governorship race, making his withdrawal a swift but strategic shift in the unfolding political contest.