Former Lagos governorship candidate Funso Doherty has resigned from membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing recent developments within the party and concerns over its direction.
In a statement dated March 28, 2026, Doherty said his decision came after several weeks of events, particularly following the Court of Appeal ruling affecting the party's leadership structure.
“A few days ago, I had resigned from the membership of the People's Democratic Party (PDP),” he said, adding, “I have not come to this decision lightly.”
The opposition leader explained that he has spent the last two years working to address internal challenges within the party and strengthen it as a viable opposition platform. According to him, “In our democracy a strong, united and established opposition platform is not a luxury – it is a necessity.”
Doherty said that, however, recent developments have made his position untenable. He referred to his earlier public letter to the President of the Court of Appeal, urging a speedy decision on cases involving the PDP ahead of key election milestones.
He said, “The judgment of the Court of Appeal came within days of my letter. It nullifies our 2025 conference and its results and, in effect, gives primacy to a group in the leadership of the party… which has publicly and unequivocally declared its support for the re-election of the present APC administration.”
He argued that the implication of the decision was a change in the party's stance, saying, “It means supporting an administration that has long been on rhetoric, but which has helped deepen poverty…insecurity has increased sharply.”
Doherty also pointed to deteriorating economic conditions, saying that “the cost of living has become an unbearable burden for ordinary families… even as their standard of living is falling rapidly.”
Announcing his exit, he said, “I will not be a party to perpetuating this sad travesty,” stressing that Nigerians “deserve much better” from the regime.
Despite leaving the PDP, Doherty reiterated his commitment to opposition politics and called for unity among like-minded political actors. “Nigeria's democracy is fragile and now under increasing threat, so this is not the time to fracture and divide opposition political forces,” he said.
He said that “the need for opposition unity, especially in Lagos State, has never been more urgent,” noting that his resignation was partly motivated by his belief in building a united opposition.
Doherty contested the 2023 Lagos gubernatorial election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and placed fourth in the poll. However, he left ADC for PDP in 2024.
The ADC, previously considered a mushroom party, has gained momentum following Doherty's exit after being embraced by key figures as the opposition coalition for the 2027 general elections.
Doherty, who previously declared his 2027 gubernatorial ambitions, has yet to reveal his next destination following his exit from the PDP.