Opposition governorship candidate Funso Doherty, of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says Lagos State lacks political will to end “agbero” activities and modernise public transport. Speaking during a Lagos debate, he argues that the informal transport ecosystem benefits people with vested interests, which he says frustrates efforts to improve the system. He also points to the continued use of thousands of rickety buses instead of a more efficient, modern network.
Doherty links the agbero problem to broader structural issues in Lagos’s transport sector, saying residents deserve better services and asking why modernisation has taken so long. Other coverage frames the debate around multiple urban challenges, including traffic, flooding, and housing affordability, alongside the transport operator accusations. Across outlets, the core claim is that informal transport interests are blocking reform, but the emphasis differs depending on each outlet’s broader focus.
