VIDEO: Lagos Debt Burden Weighing State Down, Says PDP Candidate

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Adedeji Doherty, has criticised the state’s debt burden, saying it is weighing down the economy.

Doherty said this during the 2027 Lagos State governorship debate organised by Channels Television, TVC, Punch Newspapers, Vanguard Newspapers and The Cable on Sunday.

He said Lagos spends close to 19 billion to 20 billion on servicing its external and domestic debts, describing the burden as heavy.

“The debt burden (in Lagos) is heavy. When you are paying close to about 19 to 20 billion in external debt, in domestic debt, in foreign debt then you have a burden you are carrying that is weighing you down,” he said.

The PDP candidate also faulted what he described as the lack of independence of local government areas, arguing that they are closest to the people and should have the resources to meet their needs.

“When your LGAs are not independent, those are the closest to the people and when you do not give them what they need, when you are taking in LASAA and putting it in the pocket of the state, these are the issues,” he added.