Former Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Funso Doherty, has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing the party’s prolonged internal crisis.
Doherty, who joined the PDP in 2024, announced his resignation in a letter shared on his 𝕏 handle on Saturday.
In the letter, Doherty said his decision was largely influenced by recent developments within the party’s leadership structure, particularly a court ruling that nullified the party’s 2025 national convention.
According to him, the judgment worsened divisions within the party and altered its leadership dynamics.
He revealed that prior to the ruling, he had written to the President of the Court of Appeal, urging a timely resolution of multiple cases involving the party because of their potential impact on the electoral process.
Doherty argued that the court’s decision effectively handed control of the party to a faction aligned with individuals supporting the re-election of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said the development was unacceptable to him, especially given what he described as worsening economic hardship and insecurity in the country.
“I will not be a party to sustaining this tragic travesty. The people of Lagos State, many of whom have waited far too long for meaningful improvement in their day-to-day lives from the actions of their government, deserve much better than that,” he said.
The former governorship candidate emphasised the importance of building a united opposition to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
“For a long time, I have advocated the importance of a united opposition. Nigeria’s democracy is fragile and now under increasing threat, so this is not the time for fracturing and division of opposition political forces that believe in accountability, constitutional order, and the welfare of ordinary citizens,” he said.
He added that his resignation was partly motivated by his commitment to fostering greater opposition unity, particularly in Lagos State.
Doherty stated, “The need for opposition unity, especially in Lagos State, has never been more urgent than it is today, and I remain committed to working to make it happen. My departure from the PDP is therefore also partly driven by my belief in the pursuit of that united opposition.”
