By Nicholas Ojo
No fewer than 30 political parties have declared their support for the People Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly called Jandor, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Two Lagos State Governorship candidates for the 2023 guber polls, African Peoples Party (APP), Mrs. Abiola Adeyemi, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) Adenipebi Adekunle, also resolved to step down from the race and support the leading opposition PDP candidate, Jandor.
Other parties include the Conference of Registered and Deregistered Political Parties (CPP) in Lagos.
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The endorsement had in attendance representatives of Action People’s Party (APP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) Justice Must Prevail Party (JMPP), Peoples Trust Party (PTP), Fresh Democratic Party (FDP), Save Nigeria Congress (SNC), and National Unity Party (NUP).
Others were the National Democratic Party (NDP), National Interest Party (NIP), Communist Party of Nigeria (CPN), Rebuild Nigeria Party (RNP), and Movement of the People (MP), among others.
Confirming the development was the Chairman of the CPP, Dr. Akin Badmus who said that the endorsement became imperative following the dearth of dividends of democracy in the State and the need to unite with the main opposition party to unseat the ruling APC.
According to Badmus, who is also the Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), the co-political group, spread across the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas, the party had resolved to throw their weights behind Adediran and PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
He said that the decision for adopting Adediran was based on his determination to rectify and eradicate the hardship being inflicted on Lagos residents.
Alleging that the unchecked excesses of thugs at motor parks in the State had added to the plights and suffering of the residents, which the CPP believed Adediran would curb if supported and elected.
“Looking at the robust economy of Lagos State with the highest internally generated revenue in Nigeria, the dividend of democracy in Lagos is nothing to write about to compare to her robust economy, population, and revenue.
“It is a fact that the cost of living in Lagos is very high with revenue that does not reflect in the development of Lagos State.
“This is the time PDP is taking over, APC is no longer the choice of Lagos residents.
“We believe in the candidacy of Jandor who has been going all around Lagos, visiting all the 245 wards for his electioneering campaign, a feat that has never been done by any politician in the history of Lagos.
“That is evidence of a governorship candidate that truly wants to govern the people and make Lagos work.
“So today, the entire 30 political parties comprises both registered and de-registered, and as such, direct all our followers to begin the massive campaign for the PDP in Lagos State,” he said.
However, Jandor in his response expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him and the party with his aspiration.
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“Coming here in the opposition camp shows that you truly mean business and you want to be part of the liberation of Lagos.
“Wholeheartedly, we want to welcome you, embrace you and from today onward, we have considered you as a crucial part of this struggle, and together we are going to birth that breath of fresh air in Lagos,” he said.