By John Umeh
Former Lagos State governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has firmly dismissed any possibility of working with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos politics, saying such an alliance would go against his convictions and principles.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, Rhodes-Vivour, who recently moved from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declared that he would prefer to step away from politics altogether rather than join forces with Tinubu’s political structure.
“No. I’ll rather go and focus on my business, work, and family. Aligning with that camp would be a total waste of time,” he said.
A Clash of Ideologies
Rhodes-Vivour explained that his brand of politics is rooted in people-oriented governance, accountability, and fairness, which he claims stands in stark contrast to Tinubu’s style of politics.
According to him, his mission is to restore Lagos “to its old glory” and ensure the resources of the state serve its citizens, not a select few. He maintained that the politics of Lagos should prioritize the welfare of its people rather than the entrenchment of power.
Peter Obi’s Blessing
On his recent switch to the ADC, Rhodes-Vivour revealed that his move was not made in isolation. He confirmed that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, gave his full support to the decision.
He added that both he and Obi share a common vision of building a stronger coalition that can mount a credible challenge to the ruling establishment in upcoming elections.
Allegations of Intimidation
The young politician also raised concerns about political violence, alleging that he and his supporters were recently attacked during an event in Alimosho. According to him, police officers were present but failed to intervene, raising questions about neutrality and state complicity.
The Lagos State Police Command has since denied the allegation, insisting its officers did not supervise or encourage any such attack.
The Road Ahead
With his move to the ADC, Rhodes-Vivour positions himself as part of a broader opposition strategy that hopes to redefine politics in Lagos and Nigeria at large. Whether his defiant stance against Tinubu’s dominance will win him lasting support or sideline him in Lagos’ turbulent political landscape remains to be seen.
