PDP not dead, remains Nigeria’s main opposition — Lagos governorship aspirant

A Lagos State governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party, Funso Doherty, has maintained that the PDP remains a crucial part of Nigeria’s democratic process, stressing that the presence of a viable opposition is key to sustaining democracy.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday, Doherty dismissed claims that the PDP is collapsing, insisting that such narratives are 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,” he said.

According to him, the disagreements within the party reflect a broader struggle for the protection of Nigeria’s democratic values.

“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 stated.

He argued that despite internal divisions and defections, the PDP remains the country’s foremost opposition platform.

“If you look at the landscape today, PDP is the main opposition to the APC. Despite all the defections, the largest group of governors you will find remaining is in the PDP. In the National Assembly, the largest group you will find is the PDP,” he maintained.

Doherty alleged that external influences are fueling some of the crises facing the PDP.

“There are elements within the party that are loyal to interests that are outside the party. It is well known, for example, that the Minister of the FCT is serving in this present government… When you are in a position of conflicting interests, we have to take everything you say with a pinch of salt,” he said.

Addressing reports of division within the Lagos PDP, Doherty rejected the claim.

“I question the whole terminology of factions. I believe there are internal disagreements, yes, but I reject the term factionalisation,” Doherty said.

On his relationship with party leader Olabode George, Doherty described it as cordial and expressed optimism ahead of the primaries.

“I’m interacting with a lot of the leadership, including Chief Olabode George, who is a father figure and one of the principal leaders. We have a great relationship. I have no fear that we will not succeed in the primaries,” he said.

Doherty’s comment came amid the renewed crisis rocking the PDP, following Monday’s dramatic takeover of the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, by loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The development occurred in the absence of members of the National Working Committee aligned with the PDP governors, led by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who reportedly lost grip of the party structure in the ongoing power struggle.