Doherty Quits PDP Over Crisis, Seeks Lagos Opposition Unity

Funso Doherty, a former Lagos State governorship candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pointing to the party’s persistent internal crisis and a recent court judgment as decisive factors in his departure.

Doherty, who had joined the PDP in 2024, announced his resignation via a letter posted on his X account on Saturday. His decision follows a ruling by the Court of Appeal that nullified the PDP’s 2025 national convention, a verdict that intensified leadership disputes and deepened factional divisions within the opposition party.

Prior to the court’s decision, Doherty revealed he had formally written to the President of the Court of Appeal, requesting an expedited resolution of the multiple legal challenges confronting the PDP. He argued that the party’s instability posed a significant risk to Nigeria’s electoral process. The subsequent judgment, which invalidated the convention and ceded effective control of the party’s national leadership to one faction, ultimately prompted his exit.

In his resignation statement, Doherty criticized the outcome, suggesting it indirectly advances the interests of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He accused the APC of overseeing deteriorating socio-economic conditions, including rising poverty, insecurity, and cost of living. “I will not be a party to sustaining this tragic travesty,” he stated, adding that Lagos residents, in particular, deserve more credible governance alternatives.

A central theme in Doherty’s reasoning is the urgent need for a cohesive national and state-level opposition. He has long advocated for opposition unity, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is fragile and facing growing threats. He contended that fracturing among opposition groups committed to accountability and citizens’ welfare is counterproductive. “The need for opposition unity, especially in Lagos State, has never been more urgent than it is today,” he wrote, noting that his departure from the PDP is partly driven by a continued commitment to building that united front.

Doherty’s resignation underscores the ongoing turbulence within one of Nigeria’s main opposition parties and highlights the broader challenge of presenting a coordinated challenge to the APC. His move signals a recalibration in Lagos State politics, where he intends to continue pursuing opposition consolidation outside the PDP’s current structure. The development leaves questions about the future of opposition coordination ahead of future electoral cycles, particularly in Nigeria’s commercial hub.