Former ADC Gov Candidate Defects to NDC Over Party Rift

Funso Doherty, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate who contested the 2023 Lagos State governorship election, announced on Thursday that he has defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). In a statement released to the press, Doherty said that ongoing fractures within the ADC leadership persuaded him to leave the party, adding that the internal crisis has undermined the party’s ability to function as a united opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“After due consultation, careful deliberation and prayerful reflection, I have joined the NDC. I am convinced that this is the path that will enable us to deliver the benefits of good governance to every citizen, without exception,” the former governor‑candidate said. This move marks Doherty’s second departure from the ADC. Following the 2023 governorship race, he left the party for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but later returned to the ADC after several opposition figures adopted it as a vehicle to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the run‑up to the 2027 elections.

Doherty’s latest statement cited a “split among coalition leaders” as a key factor in his decision. He noted that some ADC members have aligned themselves with the NDC while others remain in the ADC, weakening the party’s cohesion. “We had hoped that ADC would be the vehicle that would unite the opposition. That is now clearly no longer the case,” he said. He argued that the NDC offers a more viable platform for pursuing his political objectives and promoting inclusive governance.

“The battle ahead remains formidable, but I invite you to join us on this exciting, though sometimes turbulent, journey to a brighter future that has been long‑promised and that has so far proven elusive, but that is, by the grace of God, now imminent,” the statement added. The defection comes at a critical juncture as opposition parties in Nigeria prepare for the 2027 electoral cycle. Analysts note that party realignments such as this could reshape coalitions and influence the balance of power between the APC and opposition forces. Doherty’s move may bolster the NDC’s profile ahead of the upcoming elections while further weakening the ADC’s prospects as a singular opposition platform.

The ADC has not yet issued a formal response to the departure. The NDC, meanwhile, has welcomed Doherty, emphasizing the party’s commitment to “good governance,” “national unity,” and “inclusive development.” As the 2027 elections approach, the realignment of political figures like Doherty will likely continue to impact Nigeria’s evolving party landscape.