- Safiu Kehinde
The 2023 Labour Party’s Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has affirmed his membership with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ruling out speculations of possible defection to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) with the former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi.
Rhodes-Vivour acknowledged the decision of Obi and others to leave the ADC for NDC.
He however maintained his stance with the ADC, describing it as a party that will take him to victory.
“To those who have made the difficult decision to move on to a new platform, I offer my genuine respect and best wishes.
“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.
“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 said.
While recalling his political journey, Rhodes-Vivour alleged being bribed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the ruling party.
He however disclosed rejecting the bribe.
“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. Every political decision I have ever made has been rooted in that principle, not in personal gain.
“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.
The former gubernatorial candidate further recounted the political violence alleged orchestrated by the APC on the day he defected formally to the ADC
“The day I declared for the ADC in Lagos, the All Progressives Congress (APC) came with violence. They came to intimidate, suppress, and send a message about who owns Lagos. Nine people were injured that day.
“Nine people who came out in good faith because they believed that something different was possible for Lagos.
“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.
“Let that sit for a moment. That is my family. That is the price that was paid simply for the act of declaring for the act of saying: we are here, we are organised, and we are not afraid. And that was not the first time.” He said.
Rhodes-Vivour also recalled the election violence reported in some polling units during the 2023 Governorship election.
This, according to him, thought him that one must have the strength to defend it from the polling unit to the collation centre.
“I learned something that I will carry with me for as long as I am in this fight: 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. And you must be organised enough, rooted enough, and ready enough to meet that.” He said.
Rhodes-Vivour added that he had, alongside his supporters and other opposition members, been building synergy across Lagos.
“Since 2023, we did not retreat. We did not scatter. We did not lose focus. We built. Across all LGAs in Lagos, we have been doing the work. Ward by ward. Street by street. Community by community.
“We brought people together – PDP, Labour, ADC, even those who were once on the other side because we understood one simple truth: a divided opposition will always lose.
“But a united, organised, and determined force can win.” He said.