Former Lagos State governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has reiterated his commitment to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) despite ongoing defections and shifting alliances within Nigeria’s opposition landscape.
In a statement issued Tuesday to Lagos residents and party supporters, Rhodes-Vivour acknowledged the growing instability within opposition ranks, noting that some members have chosen to pursue different political paths.
“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. To those who have made the difficult decision to move on to a new platform, I offer my genuine respect and best wishes,” he said.
Describing such decisions as difficult but understandable, he emphasized that differing choices do not negate a shared desire for a better Nigeria.
However, Rhodes-Vivour made it clear that he remains firmly with the ADC, describing it as a platform he has helped build and continues to believe in.
“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. It is not because it is the convenient choice, or that the political winds are blowing in our favour, but because of what brought me here and because of what was paid for me to be here,” he stated.
Reflecting on his political journey, he noted that his movement across parties including KOWA Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party has always been guided by principle rather than convenience.
“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. And when those spaces could no longer serve the people honestly, I moved on out of principle,” he explained.
Rhodes-Vivour also stressed that he has never aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, claiming he rejected offers that conflicted with his values.
“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,” he said.
He further highlighted the importance of organisation and grassroots strength in Nigeria’s political process, particularly when it comes to safeguarding electoral mandates.
“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. Those who want to take what belongs to the people will not do so with arguments they will do so with force,” he stated.
According to him, efforts to strengthen opposition structures in Lagos have continued since the 2023 elections, with a focus on ward-level mobilisation and coordination across local government areas.
Rhodes-Vivour, who flew the flag of the Labour Party in the 2023 Lagos governorship election, was among key opposition figures challenging APC dominance in the state.
Elijah Adeyemi
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