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By Lawrence Agbo
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has expressed confidence that he can win the 2027 governorship election without the direct backing of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi or the Obidient movement.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour said his political journey has evolved significantly since the 2023 elections, stressing that his campaign is now anchored on years of grassroots engagement across Lagos.
“Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of 2023 is not Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of 2026. We have been doing the work, we have been building structures in communities, we have entrenched ourselves. We are standing for the people,” he said.
The former Labour Party governorship candidate noted that while Obi played a major role in the party’s performance during the 2023 elections, he has since developed an independent political structure capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He explained that his continued presence in communities affected by issues such as demolitions has strengthened public confidence in his leadership, adding that he has consistently offered alternative solutions to residents.
Rhodes-Vivour also dismissed suggestions of any rift with Obi, describing the former presidential candidate as “a fantastic candidate” and insisting their relationship remains cordial despite belonging to different political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, he remained in the ADC because the party has successfully built a broad opposition coalition in Lagos, which he believes is essential to ending the APC’s long-standing control of the state.
“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,” he said.
The ADC candidate added that his political strategy is based on careful planning rather than emotion, expressing optimism that the party would perform strongly in the governorship election.
Rhodes-Vivour also rejected claims that his popularity exists mainly on social media, insisting that his support is rooted in communities across Lagos.
He further alleged that the APC retained power in the 2023 election through violence rather than genuine public support.
