Former Lagos gubernatorial candidate joins opposition coalition amid growing calls for unity against ruling party
ALIMOSHO, Lagos – Former Labour Party governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour officially switched to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during a political gathering on Saturday. The move appears to signal growing opposition efforts to build a united front ahead of future elections.
Thugs and Police Turn Political Event into Drama
What should have been a straightforward defection ceremony in Alimosho Local Government Area turned into something of a spectacle. Suspected political thugs apparently tried to disrupt the gathering, while heavy police presence made attendees nervous. Many began questioning whether the officers were there for protection or intimidation.
Rhodes-Vivour didn’t mince words when addressing the security situation after receiving his ADC membership flag. “This was not a campaign rally but a constitutional political meeting,” he told supporters who seemed visibly uncomfortable with all the police around.
He promised to get answers from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police about why so many officers showed up. “I need to understand whether they were here to protect this event or intimidate participants,” Rhodes-Vivour said. Fair question, really.
Another Opposition Figure Jumps Ship
Rhodes-Vivour framed his ADC switch as part of some grand strategy to get opposition parties working together across Nigeria. Whether that’s actually happening or just wishful thinking remains to be seen. The move comes nearly two years after his unsuccessful run for Lagos governor under Labour Party.
“This coalition is about rescuing Nigeria,” Rhodes-Vivour told his supporters. “Since the 2023 elections, I have consistently maintained that the opposition cannot afford to remain fragmented.”
That may be true, but Nigerian opposition parties have a long history of talking unity while practicing division. Rhodes-Vivour seems to believe this time will be different, though skeptics might wonder if ADC represents much of an upgrade from Labour Party in terms of electoral prospects.
ADC Gets a Recognizable Face
For ADC, landing Rhodes-Vivour probably feels like a win. The party has been trying to attract bigger names as part of what they call an expansion strategy beyond their usual territories. Whether one politician can really change a party’s fortunes is debatable.
“To unseat those who wield power through thuggery, violence, and intimidation, we must build a strong alliance that reflects the will of the people,” Rhodes-Vivour declared during his acceptance speech.
His criticism of current political tactics sounds about right, anyone who’s watched Nigerian politics knows intimidation plays a bigger role than it should. The former Lagos gubernatorial candidate warned that continued reliance on such tactics would undermine effective governance. Though critics might point out that opposition parties aren’t exactly innocent when it comes to political violence either.
What This Means for Lagos 2027
Rhodes-Vivour’s defection could shake things up for the 2027 Lagos governorship race, though how much is hard to say. His 2023 performance was decent, especially with younger voters in Nigeria’s commercial hub. But finishing third, even a strong third, doesn’t automatically translate to future success.
ADC now has someone with name recognition and established networks across Lagos State. Rhodes-Vivour’s social media presence and youth-focused approach might help them connect with Lagos’s young population. Then again, young people showing up on social media and actually voting are two different things.
Some political watchers suggest this reflects broader opposition worries about staying competitive against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections. Lagos remains one of those states opposition parties dream of winning but rarely do.
The Bigger Picture Gets Murkier
Rhodes-Vivour sounded upbeat about his new political home while calling for more opposition unity. “I am happy to join the ADC family,” he said. “My prayer is that God grants our leaders the wisdom and courage to chart a new course for this country through unity and purposeful leadership.”
Nice words, but opposition parties across Nigeria have been “exploring alliance frameworks” for years now. Recent meetings between opposition leaders might suggest growing momentum for a unified challenge to the ruling APC. Or they might just be more of the same talking without much action.
ADC leadership welcomed Rhodes-Vivour’s move, seeing it as validation of their vision for inclusive opposition politics. Whether his defection encourages other prominent politicians to follow suit remains to be seen.
What Happens Next
Rhodes-Vivour hinted that more announcements about opposition collaboration could come in the following weeks. That suggests his defection might be part of something bigger rather than just one politician switching parties.
How successful this opposition unity strategy turns out will probably depend on whether other significant figures make similar moves. Early signs point to ongoing talks between various opposition parties about potential mergers or alliances, but Nigerian politics has seen plenty of such discussions lead nowhere.
The real test will be whether any of these opposition unity efforts actually produce electoral results or just more press conferences.
