2027: Doherty blames Lagos political elites for sustaining ‘agberoism’

The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Funso Doherty, has attributed the continued prevalence of agberoism in the state to the political interests of those in power, saying meaningful change would require political will, effective governance and economic empowerment.

Doherty stated this in a statement issued by the Lagos State chapter of the NDC, which described agberoism as an issue rooted in economic hardship, social challenges and political structures.

According to the statement, the governorship candidate explained that the practice operates through a pyramid-like system linked to the political interests of those in power, making reforms difficult without a government prepared to dismantle the structures supporting it.

“Nothing is as difficult to solve as what you do not want to solve,” he said.

Doherty argued that the continued existence of agberoism could not be divorced from the political benefits enjoyed by those who rely on the current arrangement.

He maintained that an administration that does not depend on agbero networks for political activities would be better placed to enforce the law, maintain public order and tackle the factors responsible for the practice.

The NDC candidate also identified poverty, inadequate access to education and the shortage of decent employment opportunities as some of the social and economic conditions contributing to the problem.

He said addressing agberoism should extend beyond law enforcement to include policies that offer young people viable alternatives through education, vocational training, skills acquisition and job creation.

Doherty further emphasised the need for institutional reforms, accountable leadership, economic empowerment and inclusive development as essential components of efforts to tackle the practice.

The party said the issue formed part of a wider discussion on governance, public order and the future of communities across Lagos State.

Under its Ọ̀NÀ TUNTUN (The New Way for Lagos) banner, the NDC said the state needed an administration committed to protecting public spaces, expanding opportunities for young people and ensuring respect for the rule of law.

The party also called for greater accountability, insisting that lasting progress would depend on addressing the political and economic structures that sustain agberoism.