Former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has officially announced his intention to run in the 2027 governorship election. He stated that his decision to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was intended to bolster a coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In an interview on Arise Television on Monday, Rhodes-Vivour refuted claims that he had deserted the Labour Party, asserting that his political transition represented the coalition’s selection of ADC as its platform.
“I would not claim that I abandoned LP because, as you are aware, the Labour Party is split into two distinct factions. One of these factions is pro-coalition. A coalition is a unification of various political parties and thinkers, and the ADC is the party that has been endorsed by the coalition. Therefore, I cannot come here and assert that I abandoned the Labour Party. No, we are dedicated to establishing a strong coalition. And indeed, I am a registered member of the ADC,” he clarified.
Rhodes-Vivour, who was defeated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2023, expressed that the coalition would establish the necessary framework to present a credible challenge in 2027.
“I have reiterated this multiple times, by the grace of God, I plan to contest in the next election, 2027. My faith lies with the people. The populace demonstrated their strength in 2023. We have remained engaged on the ground. We have developed networks within communities. We have learned from our errors, and we continue to learn. The advantage of coalitions is that you are expanding your support base, establishing more connections, and involving more stakeholders to facilitate a more formidable campaign,” he stated.
The former LP candidate highlighted that the coalition had drawn members from the Peoples Democratic Party, APC, and LP, describing it as more united and better prepared for the 2027 elections.
Rhodes-Vivour also expressed concerns regarding alleged police interference with opposition activities.
He remembered that in Alimosho, his coalition had secured and financed a venue to host a reception for himself and former presidential candidate Peter Obi under the ADC banner, but security agencies obstructed the event.
“We obtained the necessary approvals. We received the official letter. We completed the payment. On Thursday, they arrived and took over the venue. On Saturday, the police oversaw and safeguarded the APC rally at the same location for which I had paid.
The Commissioner of Police must clarify why this occurred. The role of the police is to safeguard the citizens, not to dictate who can conduct activities, when, and how,” he stated.
He noted that more than 80 police officers, along with additional forces and an armoured personnel carrier, were dispatched to obstruct the ADC gathering, with the Area Commander allegedly stating that the action was “orders from above.”
On the day the ADC event was cancelled, Rhodes-Vivour claimed that the APC was permitted to hold a rally at the same venue under police protection.
The politician asserted that despite these challenges, the opposition coalition would approach the 2027 election in a more structured, organized, and prepared manner.
