Former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in
Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has dismissed the possibility of
aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s political structure, describing it as “a
complete waste of time.”
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics,
Rhodes-Vivour said politics should be about improving the lives of Lagosians
and restoring the state’s former greatness, not entrenching a system he
described as “agberocracy.”
“The reason why we are in politics is to make the
lives of Lagosians better. Any party that will not allow me to maximise the
commonwealth of Lagos for the benefit of its people is a complete waste of
time,” he said.
“Lagos will breathe a breath of fresh air if the
domination of what has become ‘agberocracy’ is removed. This thuggery, where
politicians believe they don’t have to serve the people but instead rely on
violence to suppress and intimidate, does not align with me in any way.”
Rhodes-Vivour, who has previously contested under the
KOWA Party, PDP, and LP, confirmed that he has now joined the African
Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of a broader opposition coalition. Asked
if he would contest the 2027 Lagos governorship election on the ADC
platform, he replied: “By God’s grace.”
He added that LP’s internal crisis made it difficult
to function effectively, while insisting that coalition politics was the only
viable path to defeating the ruling APC in 2027.
Rhodes-Vivour also disclosed that Peter Obi,
LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, was aware of his decision to join ADC.
The opposition coalition, which has formally adopted
ADC as its platform, brings together high-profile politicians including Atiku
Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rauf Aregbesola.
Former Senate President David Mark was named interim chairman, while
Aregbesola emerged as interim national secretary.
Despite disruptions to an ADC meeting in Lagos on
Saturday, Rhodes-Vivour insisted the gathering was constitutional and required
no police approval. He alleged that while ADC was denied the right to meet, the
ruling APC was allowed to hold an event.
Since 1999, Lagos politics has been dominated by
Tinubu, who handpicked his successors after leaving office as governor in 2007.
Now President, Tinubu remains the central figure in Lagos politics — but the
opposition coalition has vowed to challenge his dominance in the 2027
elections.
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