The Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Funso Doherty, has said that Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive without a credible opposition such as the PDP.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE TV on Tuesday, Doherty said that the PDP remains a vital part of the country’s political system despite its internal challenges. He also dismissed reports that the PDP is collapsing, describing them as exaggerated.
“The rumours of the death of PDP, I think, are greatly exaggerated. Do we have internal issues? Yes. Are there internal crises? Yes. But the battle for the soul of PDP that is going on is beyond PDP.
“It’s a battle for the soul of the party, but it’s also a larger battle for democracy in Nigeria. Because at the end of the day, if we don’t have opposition, we don’t have a democracy,” he said.
Doherty maintained that, even with defections and disagreements, the PDP is still the strongest opposition to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He noted that the party has the largest group of governors and legislators outside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“In the National Assembly, the largest group you will find is the PDP,” he stated.
Doherty also alleged that some of the crises within the PDP are externally influenced.
“There are elements within the party which are loyal to interests that are outside the party. When you are in a position of conflicting interests, we have to take everything you say with a pinch of salt,” he said, referring to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
On governance in Lagos State, Doherty criticised what he called the government’s overemphasis on infrastructure at the expense of citizens’ welfare.
“Whilst we can point to certain areas of infrastructure as being a product of governance in Lagos, I think it’s an insufficient yardstick to judge the quality of governance because we have more resources to deploy,” he said.
He further commented on the demolitions in Oworonshoki, saying the exercise reflected poor planning and a lack of transparency. He explained that true urban renewal should involve public consultation and open processes, not secret demolitions carried out at night.
He added that the government’s payment of compensation was proof that the exercise had caused harm to residents.
He also raised concerns about the Lagos coastal road project, questioning its cost and procurement process. He said the issue was not just the amount spent, but whether due process was followed before awarding the contract.
Doherty disclosed that he had taken legal action against the project, listing the Attorney General of the Federation, the Bureau of Public Procurement, and construction company HITECH as respondents.
On the controversial Alpha-Beta tax consultancy, he described the arrangement as unnecessary and exploitative. He argued that since the Lagos Internal Revenue Service already handles tax collection, there is no need to pay another firm huge sums for record-keeping, promising to cancel the deal if elected governor.
The PDP aspirant also said he maintains a cordial relationship with party leader Chief Olabode George, describing him as a respected father figure. He expressed confidence that he would perform well in the party’s upcoming primaries.
On the federal government’s 15 per cent import duty on fuel imports, Doherty criticised the policy as anti-people.
“Nobody’s arguing that you should not protect industries where industries need protection, but the argument being made is that one entity can supply all the petrol for the entire country, and that entity needs protection by increasing the amount of money people are likely to pay at the pump,” he said.
He urged the National Assembly to investigate those responsible to explain the justification for the policy before it worsens the country’s economic situation.
