Two Dohertys, two different paths in Lagos governorship race

Two politicians from the famous Doherty family of Lagos are in the running to govern the state in 2027. But they are contesting from different political parties.

Funso Doherty is the governorship candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Adedeji "Deji" Doherty is the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Both share roots in their family tree traced back to Josiah Henryson Doherty, known as the "Prince Merchant of Alakoro".

Their connection has sparked interest as they chase the same political position. This raises questions about their family backgrounds, the history of their surname, and how they got to the 2027 governorship race.

While they belong to the same extended family, the exact relationship between them is not clearly defined in available biographies. However, their family histories link them through their fathers and previous generations.

Lagos PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, Deji Doherty….Photo Credit: The Cable

The family connection
The Doherty family is one of the historic families in Lagos tied to the city’s early business and political growth.
At the heart of the two candidates’ shared ancestry is Josiah Henryson Doherty, who was widely known as the "Prince Merchant of Alakoro".

Funso’s biography shows that his father, the late Dr Henry Aderounmu Aremu Doherty, was born in Lagos in 1900 to J.H. Doherty. Henry studied medicine in Glasgow, Scotland, and completed his training in 1926. He later returned to Nigeria, where he worked as a medical officer and started a private practice on Aje Street, Lagos.

Deji’s biography also traces his roots to J.H. Doherty and the historic Doherty family of Popo Aguda, Lagos Island. He is the son of the late Dr Tunji Julius Doherty and Elizabeth Doherty.

In an interview with City People Magazine, Deji explained his family lineage. He said, "My great grandfather, the Prince Merchant of Lagos, J.H. Doherty was born in Lagos. His mother hailed from Ijero Ekiti. He gave birth to my grandfather, Akintunde Doherty who gave birth to my father Dr. Tunji Doherty."
This shows they have a shared ancestry but does not give enough detail to clearly define the exact relationship between Funso and Deji.

File Photo: 2027 NDC Lagos State governorship candidate, Funso Doherty.

Who is Funso Doherty?
Funso Doherty was born on June 16, 1968, in Lagos. He is a financial expert, investment banker, and politician.
He grew up on Wakeman Street, now called Borno Way in Yaba. He attended Corona School, Victoria Island, and King’s College, Lagos, before going to the University of Lagos. He studied Accounting and graduated with a Second Class Upper Division in 1990.

His career started at Arthur Andersen & Co., now KPMG, in 1991. He then joined Asset & Resource Management Company in 1994, focusing on investment management.
In 1999, he started an MBA program at Harvard Business School in the United States and graduated in 2001. He later joined Goldman Sachs in New York and worked as a vice-president at PNC Advisors in Pennsylvania.

Doherty returned to Nigeria in 2005. He became the first Managing Director and CEO of ARM Pension Managers. He later founded Doherty and Company and served as Managing Director and CEO of PAL Pensions, finishing his term in 2022.
He first ran for Lagos governorship in 2023 and declared his intention to contest again in April 2026. He joined the NDC in May 2026, and the party named him its governorship candidate for the 2027 election, with Tolani Animashaun as his running mate.

Adedeji Doherty.

Who is Deji Doherty?
Deji Doherty was born on March 9, 1962. He is an engineer, businessman, and politician. He has been with the PDP since 1999.

Deji was born into the Doherty family of Popo Aguda, Lagos Island. He is the son of the late Dr Tunji Julius Doherty and Elizabeth Doherty.
He attended CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, before going to the United States for further studies. He got an Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Central State University, Ohio.

After coming back to Nigeria in 1986, he founded Dohagro Allied International. This grew into the DAIN Group of Companies, with interests in agriculture, grain processing, and more.
His political career has been mainly within the PDP. He has held positions like Lagos State chairman and National Vice-Chairman for the South-West, among others.

Doherty has tried to secure the party’s governorship ticket several times in past elections. He finally became the PDP’s candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship election in 2026.

Governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Lagos State, Funso Doherty.

Two candidates, two political platforms
Despite their family ties, the two Dohertys are on different political paths.
Funso is running under the NDC, while Deji is seeking the governorship as the PDP candidate.

Their candidacies add a unique twist to the 2027 Lagos election. Here we have two politicians from the same family going for the same office but representing different political parties.