# Funsho Doherty Criticizes Lagos Transport Governance, Cites ‘Agbero’ Influence

- Link: https://viralbrief.top/funsho-doherty-criticizes-lagos-transport-governance-cites-agbero-influence/
- Published: 2026-11-09T01:23:31+00:00
- Author: Olamide

In a recent gubernatorial debate held in Lagos, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)
candidate Funsho Doherty addressed the long-standing issue of transport touts, locally
known as _agberos_, operating within the state. According to Doherty, the continued
presence of these individuals—who collect unauthorized levies from commercial drivers
at bus stops and motor parks—is not merely a law enforcement challenge but a consequence
of insufficient political resolve from successive administrations.

## The Role of Political Will

Speaking at the event organized by the Nigeria Debate Consortium, which includes
major media outlets such as Channels Television and The PUNCH, Doherty suggested
that the _agbero_ system remains entrenched because of powerful interests embedded
within the current transport framework. He asserted that these stakeholders exert
significant influence, creating a barrier that prevents government authorities from
effectively dismantling the collection networks.

Doherty stated, “Many of us understand this notion of the agbero system that people
talk about. There is no political will to deal with that problem.” This perspective
highlights a common critique regarding the intersection of informal transport unions
and formal political structures in Lagos.

## Proposed Reforms and Accountability

The NDC candidate argued that resolving the issue requires a fundamental shift in
how the government interacts with the transport sector. He emphasized that meaningful
reform is contingent upon a leadership structure that prioritizes the needs of the
general public over the interests of those who currently benefit from the status
quo.

“We will modernise the transportation system because we will be elected by the people,
not by an agbero network,” Doherty remarked during the debate. His proposal centers
on the idea that political independence is a prerequisite for implementing structural
changes to public transit, suggesting that an administration beholden to the electorate
would be better positioned to enforce regulations and eliminate illegal collection
practices.

## Context of the Debate

The Lagos Governorship Debate served as a platform for candidates to present their
policy positions on critical urban issues. The discussion regarding transport touts
reflects broader concerns among Lagos residents regarding the regulation of the 
informal economy and the safety and efficiency of public transportation. While Doherty
has identified political will as the primary obstacle, the debate underscored the
complexity of the transport sector, which involves a mix of formal government oversight
and various union-led operations.

## Conclusion

Funsho Doherty’s comments bring renewed attention to the persistent challenges of
transport management in Lagos. By framing the _agbero_ system as a failure of political
willpower rather than a lack of policy, he has set the stage for further debate 
on how future administrations might approach the regulation of motor parks and transit
hubs. Whether such reforms can be achieved remains a central question for the electorate
as the political season progresses.

<

p class=”vbna-source-note”>**Source:** [Channels Television](https://www.channelstv.com/2026/11/08/no-political-will-to-deal-with-agberos-in-lagos-says-ndcs-funsho-doherty/)

  TL;DR (AI Generated)

During a Lagos gubernatorial debate, NDC candidate Funsho Doherty criticized the
persistent influence of unauthorized transport touts known as agberos.

He asserted that their continued operation is a direct result of powerful interests
and a lack of political will from successive administrations.

Doherty proposed modernizing the public transportation system and establishing political
independence from these informal networks to effectively enforce regulations.

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