Funso Doherty, who previously vied for the Lagos State governorship under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2023, has announced his intention to run again in the 2027 elections, expressing strong belief that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) can be defeated in Lagos.
During an interview on Silverbird Television last Thursday, Doherty challenged the widespread perception that Lagos is an unshakable APC bastion. He cited the 2023 presidential election results as proof that the APC’s grip on the state is not absolute.
“Who actually won Lagos in the last presidential election? The APC lost Lagos, plain and simple,” he emphasized. “So, the idea that Lagos is permanently locked in APC’s hands is simply incorrect.”
Confirming his plans to contest under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) banner, Doherty stated, “By God’s grace, I will be a candidate in 2027, fully representing the PDP.”
He stressed that the ultimate decision in the upcoming elections will rest with the electorate rather than political elites. “In 2027, voters will weigh their choices carefully, considering the strength of candidates and their platforms,” he remarked. “It is the people who will determine the outcome.”
On the broader national scene, Doherty criticized the APC-led federal administration for deepening poverty and exacerbating ethnic divisions across Nigeria.
“Our nation is more fragmented now than ever before,” he observed. “Ethnic tensions have escalated significantly since this government assumed power.”
He portrayed Nigeria as a country divided between “a privileged few and the struggling majority.” While the government highlights achievements like exchange rate stability and increased reserves, Doherty pointed out that most Nigerians continue to face deteriorating living conditions. “When you consider education, healthcare, income, and poverty levels, it’s clear that economically, we are in a very challenging situation,” he said.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Doherty called for a more autonomous and credible electoral commission. “Citizens want an INEC that adheres strictly to its own regulations,” he asserted.
“Even if the Electoral Act isn’t amended, it must be implemented faithfully as it currently stands.”
He acknowledged ongoing concerns about electoral fairness but argued that high voter turnout could counteract attempts at manipulation. “If 80 percent of voters come out and clearly support a candidate, that person will win, even under today’s conditions,” he explained. “We need to move beyond a system where people have to fight just to have their votes counted.”
Doherty urged for pragmatic political reforms rather than idealistic discussions. “The process for appointing the INEC chairman won’t change before 2027,” he noted. “We must accept this reality and focus on what can be done within these constraints.”