The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Engineer Adedeji Doherty, has unveiled a 10-point development agenda aimed at transforming the state, while declaring that the opposition party is prepared to mount a formidable challenge against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next governorship election.

Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, Doherty, who also serves as the PDP National Vice-Chairman (South-West), described his emergence as the party’s candidate as the beginning of a new chapter for the PDP in the state.

The veteran politician, who noted that he had remained loyal to the PDP throughout his political career, said his decades-long commitment to the party underscored his consistency, resilience and belief in democratic ideals.

“This is probably my fourth or fifth time running for the position of governor. The first time I contested as an aspirant, I was 38 years old. Today, by the grace of God, I am 64. I have remained with the PDP and have never moved to another party. That should send a message of consistency, determination and belief that God’s time is always the best,” he said.

Doherty highlighted his progression through various leadership positions within the party, including serving as State Chairman of the PDP in Lagos, Deputy National Secretary and now National Vice-Chairman for the South-West zone.

He expressed confidence that his long-standing political involvement and visibility across party lines had positioned him to offer credible leadership to Lagos residents.

“There is no leader in any substantive political party in Lagos State who will say they do not know Engineer Adedeji Doherty. We have demonstrated capacity and strength over the years, and we are ready to challenge the sitting government,” he said.

The PDP candidate said his administration would focus on youth development, environmental sustainability, education, healthcare, housing, security, water supply, power and economic empowerment.

According to him, Lagos, as Nigeria’s economic and financial hub, must play a more strategic role in complementing the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.He argued that the success of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda would largely depend on how effectively Lagos leverages its resources and economic influence to improve the lives of residents.

“Lagos is the boiling point of Nigeria. It is the economic hub and financial centre of the country. Whatever the President is trying to do at the federal level must be complemented by Lagos if it is to have a meaningful impact on the people,” he stated.

Doherty lamented what he described as gaps in the state’s development despite its enormous revenue profile, arguing that more investment was needed in critical sectors such as education, healthcare and transportation infrastructure.

He also revealed plans to appoint a deputy governor with a strong background in education, stressing the need to rebuild the sector and better prepare young people for the future.

“My deputy governor will definitely be somebody from the educational sector, someone who understands what is missing in the development of our youths and can help drive the reforms we need,” he said.

On security, Doherty warned that insecurity in any part of Nigeria ultimately affects Lagos because of the state’s strategic position as the nation’s commercial nerve centre.

Reacting to concerns over the growing threat of banditry and recent reports of schoolchildren abductions in parts of the South-West, he pledged to pursue an aggressive regional security strategy that would involve collaboration with neighbouring states.

According to him, a PDP-led Lagos government would deploy technology-driven solutions, including drones, surveillance systems and other advanced security equipment, to combat criminal activities and protect residents.

“Insecurity anywhere in Nigeria affects Lagos. Whether it happens in Gombe, Oyo, Ondo or the Niger Delta, it has consequences for Lagos. As governor, I will work with other South-West states and provide support where necessary because keeping Lagos safe requires securing the wider region,” he said.

Doherty added that his administration would invest heavily in power infrastructure, proposing a model that would see the state partner with electricity distribution companies to provide more affordable and reliable electricity to small businesses and households.

He maintained that reducing the cost of power would unlock economic opportunities for artisans, entrepreneurs and small-scale enterprises, thereby boosting productivity and job creation.

The PDP standard-bearer expressed optimism that Lagos residents were ready for a new direction and assured that his campaign would be issue-based, people-centred and focused on delivering practical solutions to the challenges facing Africa’s largest city.

“We are going to play as a team. We are going to play fair and square. Our focus is on the people of Lagos, particularly the youths who represent the future of this state,” he said.