Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has restated his commitment to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), distancing himself from the wave of defections currently reshaping Nigeria’s opposition landscape.
In a message shared with Lagos residents and party supporters on Tuesday, the former governorship candidate made it clear he has no intention of leaving the ADC, even as political alliances shift ahead of the next election cycle.
Rhodes-Vivour acknowledged the growing uncertainty within opposition ranks, noting that several political actors have opted to pursue different platforms.
He described such moves as understandable, given the pressures and complexities of the current political climate.
According to him, Nigeria is at a critical juncture where opposition unity is under strain, forcing many to make difficult decisions about their political future.
Principle Over Convenience
Despite this, he maintained that differing paths do not necessarily undermine the shared goal of national progress.
Reaffirming his stance, he said his decision to remain in the ADC is rooted in principle rather than convenience.
He described the party as a platform he and his allies have helped build and one he believes still holds the potential to secure electoral success.
Reflecting on his political journey, Rhodes-Vivour pointed out that his involvement in parties such as KOWA Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), and now the ADC has consistently been driven by personal conviction rather than opportunism.
He also pushed back against any suggestion of alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, insisting he has remained independent of the party despite alleged offers and inducements in the past.
On electoral strategy, Rhodes-Vivour emphasized the importance of building a strong grassroots structure, noting that safeguarding votes requires organisation at every stage—from polling units to final collation centres.
After 2023
He revealed that since the 2023 elections, efforts have been underway to strengthen opposition networks across Lagos through coordinated mobilisation at the ward and local government levels.
Rhodes-Vivour was the Labour Party’s flagbearer in the 2023 Lagos governorship race, where he mounted a high-energy campaign that resonated strongly with young voters but ultimately lost to incumbent governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC.
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His latest remarks come at a time of growing fragmentation within Nigeria’s opposition, as politicians continue to realign across parties such as the Labour Party, PDP, ADC, and emerging coalitions in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.