2027: Funso Doherty Joins Lagos Governorship Race, Vows to Unseat APC

Former Lagos State governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, has announced his intention to contest again in the 2027 elections.

Speaking during an interview on Silverbird Television on Thursday, Doherty dismissed the notion that Lagos is an impregnable APC stronghold, arguing that the 2023 presidential election proved otherwise.

“In the last presidential election, who won Lagos? APC lost Lagos. That’s a fact,” he said.

“The idea that Lagos is permanently tied to APC and cannot be dislodged is fundamentally flawed.”

Doherty confirmed that he would be running on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I will be in the race in 2027, by the grace of God, God willing, and God giving us life and strength — absolutely with the PDP,” he stated.

He emphasised that the electorate, not entrenched political structures, hold the ultimate power to decide who governs Lagos.

“At the end of the day, in 2027, the decision people are going to make is whether they are faced with a strong candidate and what their options are,” he said. “The people will decide it in 2027.”

On national issues, Doherty criticised the APC-led federal government for worsening economic hardship and heightening ethnic tensions across the country.

“We are more divided today than we have ever been as a people,” he said. “Ethnic tensions are probably higher today than when this administration took over.”

“When you look at the quality of life — education, health, income levels, poverty — you see that economically, we are in a very difficult place,” he said.

Doherty also called for electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 polls, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adhere strictly to its own rules.

“People are looking for an INEC that will follow its own rules,” he noted. “Even if we don’t get amendments to the Electoral Act, we must at least faithfully implement the one we have.”

He added that massive voter turnout could still guarantee credible elections despite challenges with electoral integrity.

“If the people come out and 80 percent say this is the person they want, even today, that person will prevail.

“We must move away from a system where people have to scream for their votes to count,” Doherty asserted.