Lagos Ex-Governorship Candidate Doherty Resigns from PDP
Funso Doherty, a former African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for governor of Lagos State, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing the party protracted internal strife. In a message posted on his X account on Saturday, Doherty, who joined the PDP in 2024, announced his resignation.
He cited recent events within the party, including a court judgement that invalidated its 2025 convention and widened rifts among party stakeholders, as justification for his choice. He disclosed that he had written to the President of the Court of Appeal before the ruling, pleading for a speedy settlement of several court cases involving the party and pointing out their possible influence on Nigeria’s election process.
He claimed that the final decision, which declared the convention illegitimate and thereby gave a faction power over the party leadership, was a turning point.
Doherty denounced the result, claiming that it unintentionally benefited those who supported the reelection of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he claimed was in charge of growing living expenses, poverty, and insecurity.
“I refuse to contribute to the continuation of this terrible farce. The people of Lagos State deserve much better than that, he said, since many of them have waited far too long for their government’s actions to significantly improve their daily lives.
Additionally, he reaffirmed his long-held belief that a unified opposition is necessary, cautioning that Nigeria’s democracy is still precarious.
“I have always said that a unified opposition is crucial. This is not the time to split up opposition political groups that support accountability, constitutional order, and the well-being of common people since Nigeria’s democracy is already in jeopardy.
“There has never been a greater pressing need for opposition unity, particularly in Lagos State, and I’m still determined to work toward achieving it. Therefore, my belief in the pursuit of that united opposition also plays a role in my decision to leave the PDP,” he continued.
