The 2023 Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has reaffirmed his commitment to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that he will remain in the party despite ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement addressed to supporters and party faithful on Tuesday, Rhodes-Vivour acknowledged the shifting political landscape and the growing divisions within opposition ranks, noting that recent developments have forced many actors to reconsider their positions.
He, however, expressed respect for those who have chosen to leave the party.
He said, “We are living through a defining moment. Our politics is turbulent, the unity of the opposition is being tested, and, for some, it has become necessary to forge different paths.
“These are hard choices, made in hard times, and I do not judge anyone for the path they have chosen. We are all fighting for a better Nigeria, even when our roads diverge.”
The former Labour Party chieftain, however, made it clear that his decision to remain in the ADC was rooted in conviction rather than convenience.
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“I want to make it clear that I am staying in the African Democratic Congress (ADC). It is the platform we have built, the ground we have fought on, and the vehicle that can take us to victory,” he stated.
Rhodes-Vivour stressed that his political journey has been guided by principle, recounting his movement across different political platforms over the years.
“My political journey did not begin in comfort. From KOWA, where we built from nothing, to PDP, to Labour Party — every step I have taken has been guided by one thing: conviction,” he said.
He added that his decisions have consistently been driven by the need to serve the people rather than personal gain.
“When those spaces could no longer serve the people honestly, I moved on out of principle. Every political decision I have ever made has been rooted in that principle, not in personal gain,” he said.
Rhodes-Vivour also reiterated his long-standing opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, emphasizing that he has never compromised his stance.
“I have never compromised with the APC in Lagos. Not when it was convenient. Not when agreements were put on the table. Not when billions were placed before me. I walked away then, and I would walk away again. That is who I am,” he said.
Recounting past political tensions, he alleged that his declaration for the ADC in Lagos was met with violence and intimidation.
“The day I declared for the ADC in Lagos, the APC came with violence. They came to intimidate, suppress, and send a message about who owns Lagos,” he said.
He added that several of his supporters were injured during the incident.
“Nine people were injured that day… We provided medical care for them and stayed with them through the ordeal. My own sister left that ground with eight stitches in her head,” he disclosed.
Reflecting on lessons from the 2023 elections, Rhodes-Vivour said he learned that protecting the people’s mandate requires resilience and organisation.
“If you want to protect the people’s mandate, you must have the strength to defend it from the polling unit to the collation centre. Because those who want to take what belongs to the people will not do so with arguments. They will do so with force,” he said.
Despite the challenges, he maintained that his movement has continued to grow across Lagos.
“Since 2023, we have not retreated. We did not scatter. We did not lose focus. We built… Ward by ward. Street by street. Community by community,” he said.
He added that unity among opposition forces remains critical to electoral success.
“A divided opposition will always lose. But a united, organised, and determined force can win,” he stated.
The statement comes amid a wave of defections and alliances reshaping Nigeria’s opposition landscape, as political actors position themselves ahead of the next general elections.
