LAGOS: The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Funsho Doherty, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not entirely comfortable ahead of the 2027 governorship election, while acknowledging that unseating the ruling party will be a difficult task.
Doherty made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he discussed the political situation in Lagos and the prospects of opposition parties challenging the APC’s dominance in the state.
According to him, the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in Lagos demonstrated that the ruling party could be defeated at the ballot box, contrary to the perception that its political control of the state was unassailable.
APC was defeated in 2023, if you go and look at the presidential election, APC lost, not theory, not rhetoric, Doherty said.
He maintained that the result of the previous presidential election offered evidence that Lagos voters could reject the APC and support an opposition candidate when presented with an alternative.
The NDC candidate argued that the APC’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election in Lagos was a significant political development that opposition parties could draw lessons from as preparations for the next electoral cycle gather momentum.
Doherty said the possibility of defeating the ruling party should not be dismissed, insisting that the 2023 result had already demonstrated that such an outcome was achievable.
He also pointed to what he described as the APC’s actions as indications that the party might not be entirely confident about the political contest ahead.
It’s possible that it has happened before and we will also retain the governorship election which we don’t believe will exist this time. Look at the actions of the APC itself, they are not that of one that is comfortable,” he stated.
His comments come as political parties and aspirants begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections, with Lagos expected to remain one of the country’s most closely watched political battlegrounds.
Despite expressing optimism about the opposition’s chances, Doherty acknowledged that defeating an incumbent party would not be an easy undertaking.
When asked whether it would be easy to defeat the APC in Lagos, he clarified that he had not suggested the contest would be straightforward.
“I didn’t say that it will be easy,” he replied.
The statement reflects the challenge confronting opposition parties in a state where the APC has maintained a strong political presence for years.
For Doherty and the NDC, the task ahead will involve persuading voters that the party offers a credible alternative, building support across different communities and translating dissatisfaction with the ruling party into votes at the polls.
The 2027 governorship election is expected to test the strength of the APC’s political structure in Lagos and the ability of opposition parties to consolidate their support.
While the 2023 presidential election showed that the APC could lose a statewide contest in Lagos, the outcome of a governorship election may depend on several factors, including candidates, party organisation, voter turnout and the issues dominating the campaign.
Doherty’s remarks signal the NDC’s intention to challenge the ruling party, but whether the opposition can convert its optimism into electoral victory will ultimately be determined by voters.
As political activities intensify, the contest is likely to centre on governance, public services, economic opportunities and the competing parties’ plans for the future of Lagos State.
RapidoSpace News will continue to follow political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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