Breaking: Rhodes-Vivour Finally Dumps Labour Party, Declares Next Move
- Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, former 2023 Lagos Labour Party governorship candidate, officially joins the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of a broader opposition coalition
- Rhodes-Vivour urges opposition unity ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the coalition as a movement to rescue Nigeria from APC dominance
- ADC hails Rhodes-Vivour’s defection as historic, with supporters emphasising equal opportunity and the party’s vision to provide an alternative leadership for Nigerians
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos state in the 2023 election, has formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The announcement was made at an event held in Lagos on Saturday, September 6.
Source: Instagram
The move follows the formation of a coalition of opposition parties under the ADC platform, aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition was officially formed in July and has been courting prominent political figures to strengthen its position.
Rhodes-Vivour emphasises unity ahead of 2027
Speaking during the announcement, Rhodes-Vivour described his defection as part of a broader coalition effort.
“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 said.
He also urged opposition parties to remain united ahead of the 2027 elections.
“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,” Rhodes-Vivour added.
Police reportedly barred access to venue
Rhodes-Vivour accused the police on Friday, September 5, of attempting to frustrate the event, which was initially scheduled to take place in Alimosho, Lagos State.
A statement from his aide, Olalekan Anjolaiya, said the organisers had duly notified the police about the gathering.
Our correspondent gathered that security operatives initially barred Rhodes-Vivour and his supporters from accessing the venue on Saturday morning, prompting a relocation within the local government area.
“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,” Rhodes-Vivour said.
ADC hails defection as historic
George Ashiru, Chairman of ADC in Lagos State, described Rhodes-Vivour’s defection as a historic affirmation of the coalition ahead of 2027.
Source: Facebook
“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,” he said.
Ashiru added,
“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.”
He noted that the coalition was built on communication that began during the 2023 polls and has now matured into a common platform to challenge the APC.
Supporters urge belief in alternative leadership
Also speaking at the event, Professor Ola Olateju, a representative of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, encouraged party members to believe in their capacity to offer an alternative for Nigerians.
“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,” he said.
Source: Legit.ng
