Lagos State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has explained why he decided to remain in the party after Peter Obi left for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying the ADC has built a broad opposition coalition capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, July 2, Rhodes-Vivour said his decision was based on strategy rather than emotion.
Both men contested the 2023 elections on the Labour Party platform before joining the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, Obi later exited the party following internal legal disputes, while Rhodes-Vivour chose to stay.
Explaining his decision, Rhodes-Vivour said the opposition coalition in Lagos had made significant progress.
“We came into the coalition because we realised that if we have multiple oppositions it will be difficult to take out this present government and we have succeeded beautifully in Lagos State to build something that I am proud of.
“I am not somebody that does things based on emotions, I look at strategy, I think thoroughly before a decision is made.
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“So, I am very sure that you will see that we will put out a very good outing in this election and by God’s grace, we will win,” he said.
Rhodes-Vivour also dismissed suggestions that Obi’s departure would weaken his governorship ambition, insisting his political movement has grown beyond what it was in 2023.
“We had a fantastic run in 2023, His Excellency Peter Obi, fantastic candidate, there are no issues between us.
“I just felt that Lagos has a peculiar type of politics that needs a broad based coalition across generations, across tribes, across people with different experiences and we achieved that.”
Rhodes-Vivour’s comments come as opposition parties continue to reposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Lagos expected to remain one of the country’s most closely contested political battlegrounds.
His comments come as opposition parties continue to reposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Lagos expected to remain one of the country’s most closely contested political battlegrounds.