By Our Correspondent
National News – Former Lagos State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Funso Doherty, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, citing prolonged internal conflict and leadership disputes within the opposition party.
Doherty announced his resignation on Saturday through a letter shared on his social media page, explaining that the ongoing crisis and recent legal developments forced him to leave the party he joined in 2024.
Doherty, who previously contested the Lagos governorship election, said the decision came after months of concern over the party’s leadership instability.
According to him, the situation worsened following a court judgment that nullified the PDP’s 2025 national convention, a ruling he believes deepened divisions within the party and created uncertainty about its leadership direction.
The former candidate explained that before the ruling, he had written to the President of the Court of Appeal requesting a prompt resolution of several pending cases involving the PDP.
He said the cases were critical because they directly affected the party’s structure and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
However, the court’s decision to invalidate the convention and effectively hand leadership control to a faction believed to be sympathetic to the ruling All Progressives Congress became a turning point for him.
Doherty argued that such developments risk weakening opposition politics in Nigeria at a time when the country requires stronger democratic checks and balances.
He also criticised what he described as worsening national conditions, including rising poverty, insecurity, and the high cost of living.
According to him, remaining in the PDP under the current circumstances would amount to supporting political arrangements that fail to address the needs of ordinary Nigerians.
Doherty stressed that his departure was also driven by his commitment to building a united opposition capable of challenging the ruling party and strengthening democratic governance.
He maintained that Nigerians, especially residents of Lagos State, deserve better leadership and more effective governance.
The politician added that opposition unity is now more important than ever, noting that fragmentation among opposition groups could weaken accountability and democratic progress in Nigeria.
