Jandor Blames Peter Obi’s Wave For 2023 Lagos Election Loss

Olajide Adediran, widely known as Jandor, has asserted that he stood a strong chance of winning the 2023 Lagos State governorship election but was hindered by the unexpected surge in support for Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate.

The ‘Obi Effect’ That Changed Lagos Politics

During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Jandor, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, explained how the overwhelming momentum behind Peter Obi reshaped the electoral landscape in Lagos, weakening the PDP’s chances.

“The 2023 election came with a tsunami that nobody anticipated, and it was evident to all,” he remarked.

According to him, after Peter Obi secured victory in Lagos during the February 2023 presidential election, the political dynamics leading to the governorship poll took a drastic turn. The Labour Party’s influence surged, making it difficult for the PDP to maintain its competitive edge against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Election Results: A Shift in Political Strength

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the APC candidate, as the winner with 762,134 votes. Labour Party’s Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour finished second with 312,329 votes, while Jandor came third, securing 62,449 votes.

Jandor argued that before the presidential election, the PDP was in a formidable position and posed a strong challenge to the APC. He recalled that his party actively campaigned on the streets of Lagos, while the incumbent governor, Sanwo-Olu, refused to participate in public debates.

The Unexpected Political Wave

“The 2023 election had its own dynamics. It was a two-horse race until the presidential election. When Peter Obi won in Lagos, it changed everything. People started believing they could take control of the state, and we became victims of that political shift,” Jandor explained.

He emphasized that the PDP had worked tirelessly for victory, but the unforeseen ‘Obi effect’ disrupted their strategies. Despite his disappointment, he maintained that the election outcome was not aligned with divine timing.

Jandor’s Political Future Beyond PDP

Jandor, who began his political career in the APC before leading the Lagos4Lagos Movement and defecting to the PDP in 2022, has recently parted ways with the party, citing internal conflicts and lack of discipline.

“We waited for two years, expecting the national leadership of the party to take action against those engaging in anti-party activities. Instead of sanctions, the same individual was appointed Vice Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee,” he stated.

Looking ahead to 2027, Jandor confirmed that he is open to joining another political party to advance his governorship ambitions in Lagos State.