Lagos State governorship hopeful, Funso Doherty, has insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democracy, arguing that the existence of a credible opposition is vital for the country’s political health.
Speaking on ARISE News on Tuesday, November 4, Doherty dismissed reports that the PDP is on the verge of collapse, describing such claims as misleading.
“The rumours of the death of PDP, I think, are greatly exaggerated,” he said. “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.”
Doherty explained that the ongoing turmoil within the party reflects a larger struggle over the direction of the nation’s democracy.
“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 maintained that despite waves of defection and infighting, the PDP still stands as the country’s main opposition party.
“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 said.
Doherty accused some elements within the party of advancing the interests of external actors, a situation he said has worsened the internal strife.
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“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 stated.
Responding to questions about internal divisions in the Lagos PDP, Doherty rejected suggestions that the party had split into factions.
“I question the whole terminology of factions. I believe there are internal disagreements, yes, but I reject the term factionalisation,” he said.
On his relationship with party leader Chief Olabode George, Doherty described it as cordial and expressed optimism ahead of the party 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 remarks followed fresh turmoil within the PDP after loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly seized control of the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
The move came as members of the National Working Committee loyal to PDP governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and National Chairman Umar Damagum, reportedly lost grip of the party structure amid a deepening power struggle.