The political atmosphere in Lagos took a new turn on Saturday as Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate, officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The announcement came during a well-attended event in Lagos, marking a fresh chapter in his political career and strengthening ADC’s growing coalition of opposition parties seeking to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Speaking during his declaration, Rhodes-Vivour emphasized unity as the driving force behind his move.
He stated:
“I am happy to become part of this family. I’m looking forward to the union and governance that this party will bring to Nigerians. My prayer is that God will grant our leaders and the party’s structure the wisdom to come together and define a new path for our beloved country.”
The former candidate also issued a rallying call for opposition solidarity:
“This is a coalition that is meant to rescue Nigeria. I have said since after the 2023 elections that we cannot afford to divide the opposition going into the next election. We must come together, united through a robust coalition that will stand a chance in 2027 to deliver this country.”
The event, however, did not unfold without controversy. Rhodes-Vivour alleged that the police initially attempted to frustrate the programme, forcing a relocation from the scheduled venue in Alimosho Local Government Area.
State ADC Chairman, George Ashiru, hailed Rhodes-Vivour’s move as a significant step in consolidating opposition strength. He described it as an affirmation of a broader coalition strategy that had been evolving since the 2023 elections.
Professor Ola Olateju, who represented Atiku Abubakar, added that ADC symbolized more than a political party, portraying it as a national movement that could provide equal opportunities for all Nigerians.
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