Former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has dismissed speculations that he betrayed ex-presidential candidate Peter Obi by defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, Rhodes-Vivour clarified that Obi was fully aware of his move and even had a representative present during his official declaration.
“Certainly, His Excellency was aware. A representative of his was even at the declaration yesterday. We are aligned, and there’s no step I have taken without him being informed,” he stated.
The politician emphasized that his decision was not a sign of disunity but part of a larger opposition strategy. According to him, building a coalition remains the only path to defeating the ruling party in future elections.
“We have all agreed that the only way to have a successful election for us in the opposition is a coalition. Regardless of where anybody is now, we are working towards that aim,” he stressed.
His clarification comes after the Labour Party criticized his exit, describing it as hasty and ill-advised. The Nenadi Usman-led LP leadership argued that Rhodes-Vivour should have followed Obi’s example by engaging opposition groups without leaving the party.
Rhodes-Vivour, who contested the 2023 Lagos governorship election under the LP, formally declared his ADC membership on Saturday at a ceremony in Alimosho, Lagos State.
#GbadeboRhodesVivour #PeterObi #LabourParty #ADC #NigerianPolitics #2027Elections #BreakingNews
