ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, says his campaign for the 2027 governorship election will be driven by years of grassroots engagement rather than the political influence of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi or the Obidient movement.
Speaking during an appearance on The Morning Brief on Channels Television on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour said his political movement had matured significantly since the 2023 election, arguing that sustained engagement with communities across Lagos had positioned him strongly for the next contest.
Responding to questions about how he intends to prosecute his campaign following Obi’s departure from the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rhodes-Vivour gave a brief response: “By doing the work.”
He maintained that the political structures built over the past few years would remain the foundation of his campaign.
“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.
READ ALSO ADC Hails Rhodes-Vivour As Champion Of Electorate After Defection
The Lagos politician said his continued interaction with residents, particularly communities affected by demolitions and other government policies, had further strengthened his relationship with voters and reinforced his commitment to issues affecting ordinary Lagosians.
Rhodes-Vivour also stressed that his relationship with Peter Obi remains cordial, noting that his decision to remain with the ADC was based on his belief that Lagos politics requires a broad coalition capable of attracting support across ethnic, religious and generational lines.
“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 said.
According to him, the opposition coalition formed within the ADC in Lagos provides the best opportunity to mount a strong challenge against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He argued that a fragmented opposition would only improve the ruling party’s chances, adding that efforts to unite different political interests under one platform had produced encouraging results.
READ ALSO ADC Hails Rhodes-Vivour As Champion Of Electorate After Defection
“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 stated.
Expressing optimism ahead of the governorship election, he said his campaign strategy is rooted in planning, organisation and sustained engagement with voters rather than emotions.
“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 added.
Rhodes-Vivour also rejected suggestions that his popularity is limited to social media, insisting that he has established a visible grassroots presence across communities in Lagos through years of political mobilisation and direct engagement with residents.