Lagos 2027 Shocker: Funso Doherty Nominated for Governorship

Prominent Lagos politician, Funso Doherty, has officially accepted the nomination of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to be its candidate for the 2027 Lagos State governorship election. This significant announcement was made by Doherty himself through a letter shared on his official X account on Friday. In his communication, he conveyed profound gratitude to the party and reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to delivering inclusive leadership that would benefit all residents of Lagos.

Accompanying his post were images depicting him holding an NDC 2026 governorship nomination form, alongside a campaign poster. The poster clearly identified him as the party’s flag bearer and featured the evocative Yoruba slogan, “Ó TI YÁ,” which translates to “It is time” or “It is time for change,” signaling a call for a new era in Lagos State governance. Doherty articulated his acceptance with humility and a clear sense of purpose, stating, “With profound humility, gratitude, and a clear sense of purpose, I accept our party’s nomination to serve as its candidate for Governor of Lagos State in 2027.”

He further elaborated on his conviction, expressing deep appreciation for the confidence placed in him by the NDC and emphasizing a shared belief that Lagos deserves significantly better leadership—an inclusive form of governance that genuinely serves everyone. Doherty underscored the immediate commencement of efforts, declaring, “The real work begins now. Together, we will build the Lagos that we know is possible. My friends, it’s time – O TI Ya!”

This development follows a series of strategic political realignments for Doherty. Weeks prior, he had defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the NDC. His move to the ADC had itself been preceded by an exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Explaining his most recent shift, Doherty cited internal developments within the ADC, which had led to a split within the opposition coalition. He noted that some leaders had moved to the NDC while others chose to remain with the ADC. Doherty had initially hoped the ADC would serve as a unifying platform for various opposition parties in anticipation of future elections. However, with that no longer being the case, he stated, “Since that is no longer the case, we must each individually make a decision as to whether to remain with the ADC or move to the NDC.”

In announcing his membership with the NDC, Funso Doherty revealed that his decision was the outcome of extensive consultations, careful deliberation, and prayerful reflection. He lauded the NDC as the most viable platform capable of empowering the opposition to deliver effective good governance and ensure that all citizens benefit from democratic dividends. Looking ahead, Doherty acknowledged the formidable challenges, but extended an earnest invitation to the public: “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.”