By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Dr. Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, a former Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Jandor’s defection to the APC comes just two weeks after he resigned from the PDP.

The former Lagos PDP chieftain formally announced his defection at a press conference at his campaign office in Ikeja on Monday.

Jandor had recently held consultations with President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and other political figures following his resignation from the PDP.

His spokesperson, Gbenga Ogunleye, confirmed in a statement last Thursday that the meeting with the President took place on Monday.

The statement read, “I can confirm that Dr Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran Jandor met with President Bola Tinubu on Monday (last week).

He has earlier met with Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former President Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the SDP in the 2023 general elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, among other prominent national leaders. It is part of his ongoing consultation after his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party.

“The National Secretary of the PDP and other leaders of the party also visited him recently to appeal for the reconsideration of his resignation from the PDP.

“Dr Adediran will meet with his political associates and critical stakeholders in Lagos over the weekend and address the media by Monday, 17th March 2025.”

Adediran was the governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2023 Lagos State governorship election. He emerged as the party’s candidate after defeating other aspirants in the primaries.

Jandor, a former APC member and founder of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, had presented himself as a fresh alternative to the long-standing APC government in Lagos.

To bolster his chances and appeal to a broader electorate, he chose popular Nollywood actress and producer Funke Akindele as his running mate.

Akindele’s selection was strategic, aiming to leverage her massive influence in the entertainment industry and among Lagos’s youth and urban voters. However, their campaign faced significant challenges, including internal party conflicts.

Despite their efforts to present a strong opposition, the Jandor-Akindele ticket was unsuccessful in unseating the APC government. They finished behind both the incumbent governor, Sanwo-Olu, and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party.

In March 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the March 18 Lagos governorship election.

Impeachment looming as Rivers State House of Assembly has finally accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu of gross misconduct.

The members raised the allegation in a notice sent to the speaker Martin Amaewhule.

According to them, the action was in line with the Nigerian Constitution.

“In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of her office,” the notice read.

“You are requested to reply to the allegations made against you in the said Notice of
Allegations of Gross Misconduct accordingly.

“In doing this, your attention is drawn to the
provisions of Section 188(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as
amended), which provides thus: “within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the
Speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement made by holder of the office
in reply to the allegation contained in the notice) the House of Assembly shall resolve by
motion, without any debate whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.”

Conclusion
Mr. Speaker, we conclude by stating that the Governor has shown that
he is not prepared to govern Rivers State in line with the Constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and his oath of
office. The Supreme Court in Suit No.: SC/CV/1174/2024 condemned
his actions when it stated that “the 8th respondents fear of
impeachment by the House of Assembly is no justification for his
attacks on the House of Assembly, the Constitution, the
Government of Rivers State and the rule of law. Political
disagreements cannot justify these attacks and contempt for the
rule of law by the Governor of a State or any person. What the 8th
respondent has done is to destroy the government because of fear
of being impeached”
SIGNED BY THE UNDERLISTED MEMBERS OF THE RIVERS STATE
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, THIS 14TH DAY OF MARCH 2025

The notice was signed by all the Rivers lawmakers.

See letter below;

By Francesca Hangeior

The Rivers State House of Assembly has served a notice of alleged misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

This development is coming amid heightened political tensions between the House of Assembly and Governor Fubara.

The notice reads; “In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of her office.”

It could be recalled that despite Governor Fubara’s renewed effort to present the 2025 budget in line with Supreme Court directives, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, adjourned its plenary indefinitely.

The decision was made during a plenary session held at the Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The move came just 24 hours after Fubara wrote to the Assembly requesting a new date for the presentation of the 2025 appropriation bill.

In a personally signed letter dated March 13, Fubara proposed Wednesday or any other convenient date in March for the budget presentation.

He stated that this was the second notice sent to the lawmakers regarding the budget presentation, emphasising that his actions were in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment of February 28, which mandated the budget’s presentation to the Assembly.

In his letter, the governor reminded the Assembly of the events of March 12, when he and his entourage were locked out of the legislative complex despite prior notice of his visit.

He urged lawmakers to put the state’s interests above political differences.

“You may recall my failed visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 12th March 2025, for the presentation of the 2025 Rivers State Budget in compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” Fubara wrote.

Earlier, a dramatic scene at the Assembly complex on March 12, when Governor Fubara was locked out upon arrival.

Security personnel at the complex shut the gates as the governor’s convoy approached, citing a lack of official communication between him and the Assembly leadership.

However, Fubara maintained that he had formally informed Speaker Amaewhule of his visit through a letter and had also attempted to reach him by phone.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, in a letter dated March 7, 2025, had requested a meeting with lawmakers on March 10 to discuss the re-presentation of the 2025 budget and initiate a peace dialogue.

The incident at the Assembly complex adds to growing political uncertainty in the state, as stakeholders await further developments.

President Bola Tinubu had urged leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to ensure that Governor Fubara complied with the Supreme Court ruling on the political crisis in the state.

Tinubu made the remarks during a recent closed-door meeting with PANDEF leaders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

“I got your signal and I got your concerns, particularly concerning Rivers State. I have been on it for quite some time. I foresaw this crisis long before I stepped in. We reached an agreement—a written agreement—which both parties signed,” Tinubu said.

“It is sad we find ourselves in this situation today. This is a nation with a rule of law. I should not be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria if there is no rule of law.”

“I have total confidence in our judiciary. Now, the Supreme Court has spoken—that is it. Please go back home and help him (Governor Fubara) to implement those recommendations within the shortest possible time,” he added.

The president also revealed that he had intervened in the crisis both privately and publicly, offering counsel to Fubara on the best way forward.