The 2023 governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, commonly referred to as Jandor, has expressed that the party has lost confidence in itself due to persistent internal conflicts.
In an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Jandor, who resigned from the PDP on Monday, highlighted that the leadership turmoil at the party’s national headquarters has become a significant source of embarrassment. He pointed to the ongoing criticism directed at the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who has been held responsible by party members for the internal challenges faced by the PDP, particularly following his succession of Iyorchia Ayu.
The situation has been further complicated by a contention over the National Secretary position, with both Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye, competing for the role. Recent months have seen heightened tensions, exacerbating divisions within the party’s essential structures, including the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee, and the National Executive Committee.
Particularly alarming is the situation in the South-South region, where a zonal congress held on February 22 occurred without the approval of the governors, adding to the complexities. Jandor characterized the crises at both national and state levels as detrimental to the PDP’s public perception.
“Who would take pride in identifying as a PDP member amidst the current turmoil at both the national and state levels? The optics are unfavorable,” he remarked. “The party itself seems to have lost faith in its own viability. A political party is a collective of individuals who unite to form it; it cannot exist in isolation.
“If the same toxic environment persists within that circle, the same issues will continue. Currently, the party is dominated by those who have worked against its interests. So where do we even start? We are approaching another election cycle.
“This is 2025. Congresses and other processes will commence soon. By 2026, primary elections will take place, yet the same individuals remain in control of the party. And people anticipate a different result? No, that will not occur.”