Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congres
s (ADC) in Lagos State, has expressed confidence in his ability to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 governorship election, even without the direct political backing of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Rhodes-Vivour made this known while speaking on The Morning Brief on Thursday, where he addressed growing questions over his political strategy following Obi’s exit from the ADC.
Both Rhodes-Vivour and Obi were key figures in the 2023 Nigerian general election under the Labour Party. Their campaigns gained massive public support, especially from the Obidient movement, which played a major role in boosting the party’s performance in both the presidential and Lagos governorship elections.
Ahead of the 2027 elections, both politicians moved to the ADC as part of efforts to strengthen opposition forces. However, internal disputes and legal battles within the party later changed the political equation.
Obi eventually left the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while Rhodes-Vivour stayed back to continue building his political structure in Lagos.
Speaking on how he intends to push forward without Obi and the Obidient movement, Rhodes-Vivour gave a direct response.
“By doing the work.”
He said his political strength has evolved significantly since the 2023 election and insisted that his support base now extends far beyond online visibility.
“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.
“All the demolitions that have been happening all over Lagos, I have been there with the people, I have provided options, what people can look at and see a new type of Lagos, a Lagos that works for them and prioritises them. 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.”
Rhodes-Vivour also defended his decision to remain in the ADC despite recent political shifts, saying the party has successfully built a formidable opposition coalition in Lagos.
According to him, defeating the APC in Lagos will require unity among opposition forces rather than fragmented political interests.
“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.
“I am not somebody that does things based on emotions, I look at strategy, I think thoroughly before a decision is made. So, 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.
The ADC candidate further dismissed suggestions that his popularity exists mainly on social media. He maintained that he has spent the last few years strengthening grassroots support across communities in Lagos.
He argued that his engagement with residents, especially during difficult moments such as forced demolitions and community displacement, has strengthened public trust in his leadership.
Rhodes-Vivour also took a swipe at the APC’s hold on Lagos politics, alleging that the ruling party’s dominance in the state has been sustained through intimidation and violence rather than broad public support.