Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has reaffirmed his commitment to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), amid ongoing defections and political realignments within Nigeria’s opposition bloc.
In a statement issued on Tuesday to Lagos residents and ADC supporters, Rhodes-Vivour acknowledged the growing turbulence within opposition politics, noting that some members have opted to move to other political platforms.
He described the current political climate as a defining moment, saying the unity of the opposition is being tested, but added that he respects those who have chosen different paths.
According to him, “We are all fighting for a better Nigeria, even when our roads diverge,” stressing that such decisions are made under difficult political circumstances.
However, he made it clear that he remains firmly in the ADC, describing it as the platform he has built with others and continues to develop.
“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,” he stated.
Rhodes-Vivour said his political journey has been guided by conviction rather than convenience, recalling his time across different political platforms, including KOWA, the Peoples Democratic Party, and the Labour Party.
He explained that each transition was based on principle, especially when he believed those platforms could no longer serve the people effectively.
The former governorship candidate also insisted that he has never compromised with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, adding that he rejected offers that conflicted with his values.
He further emphasized the importance of political organisation and grassroots strength, noting that protecting electoral mandates requires structure from polling units to collation centres.
Rhodes-Vivour, who contested the 2023 Lagos governorship election under the Labour Party, was part of the wave of opposition figures that challenged the dominance of the APC in the state, but lost to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Nigeria’s opposition landscape has continued to experience fragmentation in recent months, with several politicians shifting between parties, including the Labour Party, PDP, and emerging coalition platforms such as the ADC.
Meanwhile, political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections have also seen notable figures, including former presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, linked to new coalition movements in the evolving political space.
Margaret ABAH
