• Promise people-centred leadership, end to inequality

FORMER investment banker and political reform advocate Olufunso Adesina Doherty well known as Funso Doherty has formally declared his intention to contest the governorship of Lagos State in the forthcoming 2027 general election under the umbrella of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), pledging to deliver people-focused governance, improved public services, and greater accountability in the management of the state’s vast resources.

Speaking at a well-attended gathering in Freedom Park Lagos Island, Doherty framed his candidacy as a response to what he described as decades of widening inequality, declining public services, and a growing disconnect between government spending and citizens’ welfare.

“With all humility, I would like to announce my candidacy to be the next governor of Lagos state,” he said, acknowledging that his declaration which was scheduled earlier but was postponed following a dispute involving the recognition of his party’s leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Notwithstanding the setback, Doherty said he remains focused on offering credible alternatives to the current administration of Lagos State. He accused the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) of attempting to distract opposition voices, but insisted that the political contest would ultimately center on governance performance and the everyday realities facing residents.

In a speech that blended personal narrative with policy critique, Doherty argued that Lagos possesses sufficient resources to meet the needs of its population but is currently structured to benefit a narrow segment of society.

He described the situation as a failure of leadership, pointing to persistent challenges in housing, transportation, education, healthcare, and infrastructure deficits despite the state’s multi-trillion-naira annual budget.
Doherty warned that inequality and poverty remain widespread, even as modern developments continue to transform parts of the city. He said: “Lagos is blessed with enormous potential, yet many residents still struggle to access basic services. The system must be redesigned to serve the many, not the privileged few.”

Hinging his commitment to public service to his upbringing in Lagos, where both his parents served in public institutions, Doherty recalled attending public schools during a period when government-funded education offered strong opportunities for social mobility.

He noted that the system that once enabled ordinary families to succeed has gradually weakened, leaving many young people without the same prospects. The governorship aspirant said his professional background, including leadership roles in finance and public policy, convinced him that reform was necessary to restore efficiency and trust in government.

“I did not enter politics because I lacked options. I entered politics because I could no longer ignore the direction our society was heading,” he said.

Outlining his priorities, Doherty pledged to invest heavily in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, while strengthening transparency in government spending. Among his key proposals is: expanding access to quality basic and technical education, improved and affordable mass transit systems, delivering large-scale, affordable housing projects, provision of reliable water and power services, and ensuring accountable and corruption-free governance.

The ADC aspirant emphasized that education reform would be central to his administration, describing it as the foundation of economic growth and social stability. He urged residents to actively participate in shaping the state’s future, describing the election as a defining moment for Lagos.

Doherty acknowledged that political change would not come easily, noting that entrenched interests often resist reform. However, he expressed confidence that citizen engagement could overcome institutional barriers, stressing that his administration would focus on building a broad coalition of residents determined to create a more inclusive and functional city.

Doherty’s declaration comes weeks after he resigned from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), where he had been a member and sought to contest the governorship of Lagos State. In a resignation letter posted on his X handle on March 29, he cited a court ruling that nullified the PDP’s 2025 convention and deepened factional divisions within the party as the reason for his exit.

On his choice of the ADC, he said, “Well, it’s important in Nigeria of today that the opposition comes together and is united. And ADC has become that platform where the opposition has chosen to come together. As you know, we are in a situation today where even democracy itself is under threat.

“And many are fearful that we might be moving towards a one-party state. If that’s the case, then those who are standing to offer an alternative to the people must do so from a position of strength. I think ADC is the platform that provides that position of strength today.

“You can see how ADC is the one that is standing up to the government in power. So, there’s a lot of work to be done. I and others like me have come together and we feel that this is where the work is to be done,” he stated.
With his official entry into the race, Doherty sets the stage for what could become a highly contested political season in Lagos, one defined by debates over leadership, accountability, and the future direction of Nigeria’s commercial capital.