The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, known as Jandor, has resigned from the party.
He told Politics Today on Channels Television that the party has lost confidence in itself due to internal wrangling.
Jandor left the party on Monday and blames the leadership crisis at the national headquarters for his decision.
He pointed to the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, whose leadership has been heavily criticized by members.
Many within the party blame Damagum for making the PDP’s problems worse since Iyorchia Ayu left.
The situation was worsened by the battle for the National Secretary position between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye.
Also, the discord among the Board of Trustees, National Working Committee and National Executive Committee has further deepened the crisis.
In the South-South zone, a Zonal Congress held on February 22 without the governors’ consent has further damaged the party’s image.
Jandor condemned the crisis at both the national and state levels, saying it’s devastating the party’s public image.
He asked, “Who goes around posting that they are PDP member these days?”
He said a political party is built by people coming together, but toxicity only exacerbates existing problems.
He said former PDP enemies now hold key positions, leaving the party directionless.
Also, he warned that with congresses coming up in 2025 and primaries in 2026, not much will change if the same people are in charge.
He said repeating the same leadership yields the same results.
After he resigned from the PDP, Jandor said his political direction was unknown.
He said Nigeria has 18 political parties, so there are 17 other options for a politician.
He mentioned the emergence of coalitions as individuals come together to form new political opportunities.
Jandor said wherever he goes, he will abide by the new party’s leadership and rules.
He ended his statement with a reflective note, saying their choice was final and the future is in God’s hands.