Doherty To Governors: Step Back From Wike Dispute

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... Promises Tax Cuts, Free Education, Senior Citizens’ Transport In Lagos

Engr. Adedeji Doherty


The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Engr. Adedeji Doherty, has urged governors involved in the political dispute surrounding Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to “step back” and put the national interest ahead of political calculations.

Doherty spoke with journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on his return from an overseas trip.

He said the ongoing disagreements over Wike and emerging political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections should not overshadow what he described as the larger interests of Nigeria.

According to him, there should be room for dialogue, accommodation and political cooperation among leaders and parties, including the possibility of cooperation between the All Progressives Congress and the PDP.

Doherty, who is also the PDP South-West National Vice-Chairman, said he had known President Bola Tinubu for more than two decades and believed the President had Nigeria’s interests at heart.

He appealed to governors who, according to him, had been “swayed” into joining what he described as a “gang-up” against Wike to reconsider their position.

“I think the governors at this point in time should please, please, please, with all due respect, with all due sense of responsibility, try as much as possible to step back. Step back and look at the larger picture.”

Doherty also questioned the focus on political coalitions and said different parties should be able to explore cooperation where their interests align.

He argued that if political parties could form coalitions across existing divides, similar accommodation should be possible between the APC and PDP if their national leaders considered it necessary.

On the Federal Government’s economic reforms, Doherty acknowledged that the removal of fuel subsidy and naira reforms had created hardship, while asking what state governments were doing with additional resources available to them to cushion the effects on residents.

He also announced a number of proposals he said he would implement if elected governor of Lagos.

Doherty promised to reduce taxes paid by teachers, doctors, nurses and other medical personnel, introduce free education across the state and make public transportation free for elderly residents aged about 68 and above.

He also pledged measures to support people living with disabilities and address the growing number of youths he said were living under bridges and scavenging for survival.

While acknowledging the efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Doherty said he would seek to make a different impact if elected, claiming Lagos residents would feel the effect of his administration within seven days of taking office.

On his campaign, the PDP candidate said his campaign organisation had begun an awareness phase, including the placement of stickers across parts of Lagos, with further phases expected to follow.

He said his experience in the PDP, including previous positions as Lagos State chairman and various South-West zonal offices, as well as his business experience, had prepared him for the governorship contest.

Doherty also expressed concern over drug abuse, homelessness and youths sleeping under bridges, saying these issues required greater attention from the state government.

He further urged political leaders to look beyond immediate partisan disagreements and consider broader national interests ahead of the 2027 elections.

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