• Dr. Olajide Adediran, known as Jandor has formally withdrawn from the 2027 Lagos governorship race under the APC
• His decision came shortly after President Bola Tinubu endorsed Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat
• Jandor said he stepped down in line with his earlier promise to follow Tinubu’s direction

One of the aspirants in the 2027 Lagos State governorship race, Dr. Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has withdrawn from the governorship race under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stepping aside just days after formally declaring interest in the contest.

Jandor announced his withdrawal on Thursday, April 30, during a meeting with journalists, party leaders of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, and supporters at Liberty House, Adeniyi Jones Secretariat in Ikeja.

His decision followed President Bola Tinubu’s endorsement of Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as the preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

Explaining why he chose to step down, Adediran said recent political developments within the party made his continued participation unnecessary.

“Within hours after I purchased my nomination forms, there were developments, including a meeting involving the President and the Deputy Governor. It was subsequently made known that the President had endorsed Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.

“Based on my earlier position that I will align with the direction of the President, I have decided to withdraw from the race,” he said.

The former governorship aspirant called on his supporters to remain calm and committed to the party, urging them to respect internal party decisions and maintain discipline as the political process unfolds.

He said his withdrawal was guided by loyalty to party supremacy and his belief in the APC’s internal democratic process.

Adediran also reaffirmed his loyalty to President Tinubu and thanked Lagos APC leaders for their support and guidance.

His withdrawal came barely 24 hours after he purchased his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest the governorship seat.

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat had earlier secured his nomination form with the backing of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making organ of the Lagos APC.

Hamzat’s bid is said to enjoy the support of key party stakeholders, including GAC leader Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other influential figures within the ruling party.

Jandor’s exit now appears to clear a smoother path for Hamzat as the APC begins early alignment ahead of the 2027 Lagos governorship election.

Court declares Aiyedatiwa ineligible for 2028 governorship race

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that a Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, had ruled that Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, will not be eligible to contest for another term in 2028.

Delivering judgment, Justice Toyin Adegoke held that Aiyedatiwa would be ineligible to contest the 2028 governorship election because he had already assumed office earlier to complete the tenure of the late governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.