Rhodes-Vivour 2027 Lagos Governorship Race has taken a new turn as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, says he is fully prepared to contest the 2027 Lagos governorship election without relying on the political influence of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi or the Obidient movement.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour said his political strength has grown significantly since the 2023 elections and that his campaign for the Rhodes-Vivour 2027 Lagos Governorship Race will be built on grassroots mobilisation, community engagement and a broad-based political coalition.
Rhodes-Vivour and Peter Obi were among the leading figures of the Labour Party during the 2023 general elections, with the Obidient movement playing a major role in the party’s strong performance in both the presidential and Lagos State governorship contests.
Although both politicians later joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in preparation for the 2027 elections, internal legal disputes within the party eventually led Obi to leave the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while Rhodes-Vivour remained with the opposition coalition in Lagos.
‘We Have Been Doing the Work’
Asked how he intended to contest the election without Peter Obi’s political influence, Rhodes-Vivour responded confidently.
“By doing the work.”
He said the political landscape has changed considerably since 2023 and argued that his personal political profile has become stronger through years of consistent engagement with residents across Lagos State.
According to him, the Rhodes-Vivour 2027 Lagos Governorship Race will not depend on personalities but on the structures and relationships his team has built within communities.
“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.
The ADC candidate pointed to his involvement in addressing issues affecting residents, including demolitions across Lagos communities, where he said he has consistently engaged with affected citizens while presenting alternative policy proposals.
No Rift With Peter Obi
Despite their different political paths ahead of the 2027 elections, Rhodes-Vivour dismissed suggestions of any disagreement with the former Labour Party presidential candidate.
He described Obi as a “fantastic candidate” and maintained that their relationship remains cordial.
According to him, his decision to remain in the ADC was based on strategy rather than personal differences.
He argued that Lagos politics requires a coalition that cuts across ethnic groups, generations and political backgrounds.
“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 explained.
Opposition Coalition Key to 2027
Rhodes-Vivour said he remains optimistic about the opposition’s chances because the ADC has successfully built what he described as a formidable coalition capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State.
He noted that one of the major lessons from previous elections was that fragmented opposition parties often make it easier for the incumbent party to retain power.
According to him, uniting opposition forces under one platform provides a stronger opportunity to compete effectively in 2027.
“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,” Rhodes-Vivour said.
He added that every major political decision he has taken has been based on careful planning and long-term strategy rather than emotion.
Expressing confidence in his chances, he said the ADC would present a strong campaign capable of winning the governorship election.
Dismisses Social Media Popularity Claims
Rhodes-Vivour also rejected claims that his political support exists mainly on social media.
He insisted that his popularity extends beyond online platforms, saying his campaign has established structures across communities throughout Lagos State.
According to him, the work carried out since the last election has strengthened his grassroots presence and positioned the ADC for a more competitive outing in 2027.
He further alleged that the ruling APC retained control of Lagos State during the 2023 governorship election through violence rather than widespread public support.
As preparations gradually begin for the 2027 general elections, political observers expect Lagos State to remain one of Nigeria’s most closely watched electoral battlegrounds, with opposition parties seeking to challenge the APC’s long-standing dominance of the state.
The outcome of coalition-building efforts, party realignments and grassroots mobilisation over the coming months is expected to play a significant role in shaping the contest.