I Attended Chatham House Engagement As A Nigerian, APC UK Leader, Says Doherty

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) United Kingdom and APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen, Hon. Tunde Doherty, has described social media reports of his being part of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan’s delegation to the Chatham House, London, United Kingdom as misinformation, while clarifying his presence at the engagement venue.

In a statement on Saturday, November 14, Doherty categorically dismissed suggestions that he was a member of Amupitan’s official entourage, stressing that he attended the Chatham House event in his capacity as the duly elected Chairman of APC UK and had no official affiliation or engagement with INEC.

Doherty issued the strong rebuttal to what he described as “misleading reports and deliberate misidentification” circulating on social media over a photograph of him taken outside in London.

According to him, Chatham House is a globally recognised public policy institution that provides a platform for discussions on important national and international issues.

He maintained that, as a political party leader in the United Kingdom, he had every right to participate in public discussions concerning Nigeria’s future.

Doherty also addressed speculation surrounding his attire, particularly his APC-branded cap, explaining that it openly reflected his political identity and leadership position within the ruling party.

He insisted that he neither arrived with the INEC Chairman nor spoke or acted on behalf of the electoral commission in any capacity.

While addressing the controversy, the APC UK Chairman also condemned the reported attack on INEC Chairman, Prof. Amupitan, describing intimidation and violence as unacceptable in a democratic society.

He called on all well-meaning Nigerians to condemn such acts irrespective of political affiliation.

Doherty further dismissed suggestions that his presence at a public venue in London could in any way compromise the independence of Nigeria’s electoral umpire, describing such claims as baseless.

He expressed concern that political disagreements were increasingly being played out through what he termed visual manipulation, sensationalism and misleading social media narratives rather than constructive engagement on governance and public policy.

He consequently urged media organisations, members of the public and Nigerians in the diaspora to disregard reports seeking to misrepresent his identity and the circumstances surrounding his attendance at Chatham House.

Reaffirming his commitment to the party, Doherty said the APC UK leadership remained focused on supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and strengthening democratic engagement among Nigerians in the diaspora.

Doherty also serves as Deputy Director 1 of the APC Presidential Campaign Council’s Diaspora Mobilisation Directorate ahead of the 2027 general elections.