Funso Doherty, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for governor of Lagos State in 2023, has announced his defection to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Doherty, who has previously indicated interest in running for the Lagos governorship again in 2027, announced his decision in a statement on Thursday.
He claimed that continuous conflicts among the ADC’s leadership impacted his decision to leave the party.
According to him, the party’s internal conflict has dashed hopes that it can serve as a unifying platform for opposition forces ahead of the 2027 election.
Doherty remarked that members of the party were now faced with the choice of continuing in the ADC or pursuing their political goals through another platform.
“I joined the NDC after serious consultation, consideration, and prayerful reflection. I am certain that this is the way that will allow us to provide the advantages of good governance to all citizens, without exception,” he stated.
The development marks Doherty’s second departure from the ADC.
Following his performance in the 2023 governorship race, he left the party to join the Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP.
He later rejoined the ADC as some opposition personalities used it as a platform to attack the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the announcement announcing his latest decision, Doherty stated that recent developments within the ADC had resulted in a split among coalition leaders, with some siding with the NDC and others remaining in the ADC.
“Most of us are aware of developments concerning the ADC that have collectively resulted in a division of the coalition with some leaders moving to the NDC and some remaining in the ADC,” he said.
“We hoped that ADC would be the instrument for uniting the opposition. This is certainly no longer the case.
He went on to say that after considerable consultations and contemplation, he determined that the NDC provided a better opportunity to accomplish his political goals and promote what he termed as inclusive administration.
“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,” he said.