Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The defection was acknowledged at an event in Alimosho that saw ADC leaders and members enthusiastically welcome him. Rhodes-Vivour said he was seeking the united opposition to challenge the ruling APC ahead of the coming elections in 2027, including being a part of coalition politics.
He pointed out that this was necessary, especially with how dangerous Nigerian democracy has become since violence and intimidation have prevailed on some political opposition. He spoke glowingly about the ADC as a political party with an agenda to put inclusivity and equity at the forefront of what they do, and expressed that they had what it would take to make Lagos a “global Lagos” that is abundant with opportunities for every Lagosian.
ADC’s chairman in Lagos, George Ashiru, warmly received him, acknowledging that he was joining the continuation of a movement that began two years ago and that is gathering steam. The ADC also received Rhodes-Vivour from the side of the representative of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The representative remarked that what Rhodes-Vivour’s defection signified was a people’s driven movement of equal opportunity all over Nigeria.
There was nonetheless some controversy around the venue for the event. In a brief moment of anger, Rhodes-Vivour did accuse APC officials of sealing off the original venue so as to “frustrate” the defection occasion. He said this was an abuse of power, and vowed that nothing could stop the opposition.
The Lagos APC wasted no time in criticizing Rhodes-Vivour’s decision to defect. The party’s leaders mocked him as a political vagabond, pointing to his history of switching parties as proof of his inconsistency. They went on to say that the ADC had no chance of unseating or displacing the ruling party in Lagos.
Despite his critics, Rhodes-Vivour seems to still carries political weight in Lagos. He received almost 27 percent of the total votes cast in the governorship election of 2023, finishing as runner-up to the APC’s Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
His decision to join ADC appears to be an even more overt attempt to fortify the alliance that opposition parties are forming in preparation for the 2027 elections. Political analysts appear to believe that if the anticipated coalition is appropriately formed prior to the elections, Rhodes-Vivour will possibly have an effect on the political climate in Lagos.
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