Lagos 2027: Rhodes-Vivour explains how he’ll contest without Obi’s influence

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The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has said his 2027 governorship bid will not depend on the political influence of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi or the Obidient movement, insisting that years of grassroots mobilisation have positioned him for the contest.

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Rhodes-Vivour, who spoke on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, was responding to questions on how he intends to prosecute his campaign following Obi’s exit from the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) amid the party’s internal legal disputes.

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Asked how he would navigate the election without Obi and the Obidient movement, Rhodes-Vivour replied: “By doing the work.”

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He argued that his political profile and grassroots network had grown considerably since the 2023 governorship election.

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“Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of 2023 is not Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of 2026. We have been doing the work, we have been building structures in communities, we have entrenched ourselves. We are standing for the people,” he said.

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The ADC candidate noted that his engagement with residents affected by demolitions across Lagos had strengthened his connection with communities and reinforced his vision for the state.

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“We had a fantastic run in 2023. His Excellency Peter Obi, fantastic candidate, there are no issues between us. I just felt that Lagos has a peculiar type of politics that needs a broad-based coalition across generations, across tribes, across people with different experiences and we achieved that,” he added.

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Rhodes-Vivour said he chose to remain in the ADC because the party had successfully built a formidable opposition coalition in Lagos, which he believes is necessary to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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“We came into the coalition because we realised that if we have multiple oppositions it will be difficult to take out this present government and we have succeeded beautifully in Lagos State to build something that I am proud of,” he said.

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Expressing confidence ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Rhodes-Vivour said his strategy was based on careful planning rather than emotion.

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“I am very sure that you will see that we will put out a very good outing in this election and by God’s grace, we will win,” he said.

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He also dismissed claims that his popularity exists only on social media, maintaining that he has built a strong grassroots presence across Lagos communities.

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