The Lagos State chapter’s Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Hakeem Amode, has affirmed that Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor) remains the party’s leader. Amode conveyed this assertion in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos, responding to the controversy sparked by Adediran’s recent proclamation of his leadership status within the party.
Adediran, who served as the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 election, declared himself as the party’s leader during a meeting with former members of his campaign committee and other party affiliates on Sunday. This declaration has prompted some party stakeholders to demand that he retract his leadership claim and issue an apology to the party.
Amode defended Adediran’s declaration, stating that he was justified in making such a claim, especially considering that many purported PDP leaders allegedly defected to other parties around the time of the 2023 general elections. He refuted speculations suggesting that the party had summoned Adediran to apologize for his statement.
According to Amode, Adediran’s position as the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 elections qualifies him as one of the leaders of the party in Lagos State. He emphasized that Adediran’s leadership role does not impede the responsibilities of the party’s executive members in the state.
Amode questioned the rationale behind demanding an apology from Adediran, noting that individuals who worked against the party have not been held accountable or asked to apologize, and are even being celebrated. He argued that Adediran, given his dedication to upholding the party’s interests despite challenges encountered during the elections, deserves recognition and support rather than condemnation.