Funso Doherty, a former Lagos gubernatorial candidate, has parted ways with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) due to the party's unresolved internal crisis. The decision, announced in a statement dated March 28, 2026, comes after weeks of unfolding events, including a Court of Appeal ruling that affected the party's leadership structure.
The opposition figure had spent the past two years working within the party to address internal challenges and strengthen it as a viable opposition platform. However, recent developments have made his position untenable. Doherty cited his earlier public letter to the President of the Court of Appeal, urging expedited rulings on cases involving the PDP ahead of key electoral milestones.
The ruling of the Court of Appeal, which nullified the party's 2025 convention and its outcomes, has conferred primacy in the party's leadership to a group that has publicly supported the re-election of the current APC administration. Doherty argued that this shift in the party's stance means supporting an administration that has presided over deepening poverty and escalating insecurity.
The latest development raises serious questions about the PDP's commitment to opposition politics. Funso Doherty's resignation highlights the party's inability to address its internal crisis, which has been brewing for years. The implications of the Court of Appeal's ruling are far-reaching, and it remains to be seen how this will impact the party's chances in future elections. For everyday Nigerians, this means a continuation of the status quo, with the APC administration remaining in power despite its poor track record. The PDP's leadership must take responsibility for this situation and work towards rebuilding the party as a strong and united opposition platform.
