Funso Doherty, the Lagos governorship candidate representing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has asserted that Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, still commands a strong support base capable of replicating his 2023 electoral success in Lagos State.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Doherty cautioned against underestimating Obi’s political impact, warning that such a belief could be detrimental. He emphasized that Obi’s appeal is founded on his political philosophy rather than the party he represents.
Despite Obi’s recent shift from the Labour Party to the NDC, Doherty stated that this change would not diminish the positive reception Obi receives from the public. “The reception of Peter Obi today, that is how it is everywhere he goes. This is a man who is loved by the people,” he remarked.
Doherty pointed out that the NDC’s supporters demonstrated their resolve during an interruption at the party’s recent town hall meeting in Ikeja, where suspected political thugs attempted to disrupt the event. He condemned the attack, describing it as “unprovoked” and “unnecessary,” and aligned the supporters’ resistance with the enduring energy from Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign.
Following the confrontation, which involved supporters using chairs to fend off the attackers, Doherty praised the resilience displayed by NDC supporters. He viewed their actions as indicative of a persistent enthusiasm for the party and its goals.
Obi, who previously finished third in the national presidential election, achieved a notable victory in Lagos, outpacing Bola Tinubu of the APC, a party that has dominated the state for 27 years. Looking ahead, Doherty expressed confidence that the NDC could challenge APC’s grip on power in the upcoming 2027 elections, suggesting that the current political landscape was not insurmountable.
