RHODES-VIVOUR DUMPS LABOUR PARTY, JOINS ADC
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By: Sefiu Ajape
The former Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2023 Lagos State election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Rhodes-Vivour announced his defection during an event in Lagos on Saturday, aligning with a growing coalition of opposition parties under the ADC platform, which is working to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
The coalition, officially launched in July, has been courting notable political figures as part of efforts to build a strong “third force” ahead of the polls.
Speaking at the declaration, Rhodes-Vivour said, “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.”
He also stressed the importance of opposition unity, adding, “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 defection came amid controversy. On Friday, Rhodes-Vivour accused the police of attempting to frustrate the event, which was initially scheduled to hold in the Alimosho area. In a statement by his aide, Olalekan Anjolaiya, organisers said they had duly notified the police, but security operatives barred supporters from accessing the venue on Saturday morning. The event was later relocated within the local government area.
Confirming the defection despite the disruption, Rhodes-Vivour stated, “I’m going to address the press later on the events that happened today and those that happened since yesterday. But with this speech, I just want to confirm that I am joining the ADC coalition.”
The Lagos State ADC Chairman, George Ashiru, described the move as a historic moment for the coalition, saying, “Today we are having one of the most important affirmation programmes where our coalition partners from one of the key blocs in the Labour Party are joining this wonderful family of Nigerians, the African Democratic Congress.
“We are not affirming one man, we are affirming a movement, but every movement has a leader, and what brother Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour represents is the leadership of a movement that shook Lagos in the last election.”
According to Ashiru, the coalition grew out of engagements that began during the 2023 polls and had now evolved into a common front to challenge the APC.
Also speaking, Professor Ola Olateju, a representative of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, urged party members to embrace their capacity to provide an alternative for Nigerians.
He said, “We should not look at ourselves as if we are not able or not competent to rescue Nigeria. Anybody here could become anything. There is equal opportunity for everybody irrespective of ethnic group, agenda or class. ADC is not just a political party; it’s a movement, a movement of the people. It is an exodus. We are moving in order to rescue Nigeria.”
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