The 2023 Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdulazeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has said that Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has not officially declared interest in the 2027 governorship race.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Jandor also stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not endorsed any aspirant for the Lagos governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, the APC has not finalised its nomination process, and no consensus arrangement has been communicated ahead of the primary election.
“He hasn’t even said to us himself that he is running. He is the deputy governor of Lagos, qualified, with over 20 years of experience in that space,” he said, referring to Hamzat.
Jandor added that as things stand, the APC has indicated that it will use direct primaries, stressing that party decisions remain binding on all aspirants.
“As we speak, the party says it’s going to be direct primaries. If tomorrow it says this is what we are doing, we will fall in line. The party is supreme,” he said.
He also dismissed reports of presidential endorsement of any aspirant, insisting that no such decision has been communicated by the Presidency.
“No, the President hasn’t endorsed anyone. I am an aspirant, and we are a few people also gunning for this. We will be the first set of people to know if there is anything like that because communication will come,” he added.
Jandor further revealed that he had met with President Tinubu, noting that the meeting did not include any promise of a party ticket or discouragement of his ambition.
He said his early declaration of interest reflects confidence in his political journey, adding that belief in one’s ambition is essential in politics.
On the wider Lagos political landscape, he observed that opposition influence in the state is weakening but maintained that he would abide by the party’s final decision if he fails to secure the ticket.
The Lagos governorship contest is already shaping up ahead of 2027, with several APC figures reportedly being considered, including Hamzat, Akinwunmi Ambode, Tokunbo Abiru, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Tunji Alausa.
In the 2023 election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu winner, while Jandor finished third behind Labour Party candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
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