Funso Doherty, the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate for Lagos governor, has publicly unveiled Tolani Animashaun as his running mate and presented a 34-point manifesto ahead of the 2027 election.
The presentation took place in Ikeja on Thursday, 8 October. Doherty discussed the proposals further during an ARISE News interview on Friday.
Lagos voters are scheduled to elect their next governor on 6 February 2027, according to INEC’s current election calendar. guardian.ng, inecnigeria.org
Animashaun joins the ticket
According to The Guardian’s report, Animashaun is from Ikorodu and has worked in banking, education and international development.
She accepted the role at the unveiling, saying she wanted a government that served residents across Lagos.
In Friday’s interview, Doherty said her experience in banking, teaching, and political organising informed his choice. He also argued that diversity within the leadership team would improve decision-making. guardian.ng, arise.tv
Housing and public services feature in manifesto
The manifesto, titled Ona Tuntun, or “New Way”, sets out commitments covering housing, healthcare, education, transport, employment, and government accountability.
Speaking to ARISE News, Doherty pledged 150,000 housing units during a first term if elected. He identified Ikorodu, Ibeju-Lekki, Badagry, and Epe as areas for affordable housing development.
He proposed combining government funding with private investment backed by state guarantees.
His education proposals include covering textbooks and examination fees, providing school meals, and offering transport assistance to pupils who need it. He also promised free maternal and child healthcare, including medicines.
These are campaign commitments rather than approved programmes or services currently available to residents. arise.tv
Funding estimates remain provisional.
Doherty told ARISE News that delivering 30,000 housing units in the first year could require about ₦600 billion. He acknowledged that the figures were still being worked out.
At the unveiling, he also promised to review major public-private partnerships and publish findings, alongside measures to protect traders and small businesses from unauthorised levies.
He described the manifesto as a checklist against which voters could assess his performance if elected. The housing cost estimate remains his preliminary projection, with detailed financing arrangements still to be established. (arise.tv, guardian.ng)
