Follow Us on Google
The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adedeji Doherty, has defended his political relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, despite the latter’s support for President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Doherty said Wike’s relationship with the APC-led Federal Government does not make him an enemy of democracy, arguing that political differences and alliances are part of democratic practice.
He made the remarks on Sunday during the 2027 Lagos State governorship debate organised by Channels Television, TVC, Punch Newspapers, Vanguard Newspapers and The Cable.
The PDP candidate was asked how he intended to provide a credible opposition alternative in Lagos State despite emerging from a PDP faction loyal to Wike.
In response, Doherty said his emergence as the party’s candidate was the result of 26 years of political commitment, consistency and grassroots engagement.
He maintained that he had built his political structure from the grassroots and enjoyed the support of people across the state.
Doherty also reaffirmed his loyalty to Wike, describing the FCT minister as his political leader and national leader of the faction.
“My emergence in the People’s Democratic Party is out of 26 years of hard work, consistency, determination, and continued support for the grassroots. I have built a grassroots structure right from scratch, and I know there are a lot of people here that can testify to that,” he said.
“Number two is that Nyesom Wike is our leader. He’s our national leader. He will continue to be my leader, and he will continue to show us that politics and democracy are not enemies.”
He further defended Wike’s political relationship with Tinubu, arguing that the arrangement had produced benefits for different levels of government.
According to him, the relationship has helped facilitate government support and funding for governors across the country.
“Once we are getting results from the FCT, we are getting results from Mr. President, we are getting monies into the pockets of governors in different states,” Doherty added.
