Amid endorsements by party elders for rival aspirants, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has entered the Lagos governorship race, backing direct primaries as the legitimate process for candidate emergence.
Adediran, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), formally picked up his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms on Wednesday, signalling his intention to contest in the 2026 governorship election in Lagos State.
Announcing his decision via his official Facebook page, the aspirant said his action was guided strictly by the party’s officially communicated position on direct primaries.
“In line with the official and current position of the party on direct primaries, I have taken the significant step of formally picking up my Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the forthcoming elections,” he stated.
While acknowledging that some party elders and leaders had thrown their weight behind other aspirants, Adediran maintained that adherence to due process and internal democracy remained paramount.
“While I respect the decisions of some of our elders and party leaders endorsing aspirants of their choice, I am guided by the official position of the party on direct primaries as communicated to all members and aspirants alike,” he said.
He, however, struck a conciliatory tone, pledging to align with any alternative method that may be adopted by the party in line with extant laws.
“Should the party come up with the option of nominating candidates as enshrined in the Electoral Act 2026, I will align and respect the supremacy of the party,” he added.
The governorship hopeful further emphasised that political leadership must be rooted in trust, consistency, and service, rather than mere rhetoric.
“I am not unmindful of the fact that the trust of the people is neither given lightly nor sustained by rhetoric alone. It is earned through consistent engagement and an unshakable dedication to the common good,” he noted.
According to him, his decision to join the race was driven by a clear understanding of the challenges facing Lagos State and a commitment to contribute meaningfully to its progress.
“My decision to proceed on this path is anchored in a clear understanding of the challenges before us, and an even clearer resolve to deepen our democracy and advance our shared aspirations for a better society,” he said.
Adediran also framed his ambition as a call to action, urging stakeholders and supporters to move beyond symbolic gestures toward tangible outcomes.
“Now, the moment for symbolism gives way to the imperative of action. It is time to do the work deliberately, diligently, and together to achieve the future we seek,” he declared.
His entry into the race adds a new dimension to the evolving political landscape within the APC in Lagos, where alignments and endorsements by influential party figures continue to shape the contest ahead of the primaries.
