Taiwo Popoola
The Lagos State chapter of the All-Progressives Congress, APC, has dismissed the defection of Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, describing the move as yet another instance of political opportunism.
Rhodes-Vivour, who formally joined the ADC on Saturday at an event in Lagos, said his decision was anchored on the need to strengthen a broad coalition of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADC had earlier been adopted as the platform for an opposition coalition seeking to challenge the APC’s dominance, bringing together figures disenchanted with both the ruling party and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Speaking at his declaration, Rhodes-Vivour said he was committed to building unity among opposition forces to “rescue Nigeria” through a collective effort.
“I am happy to become part of this family. I look forward to the union and governance this party will deliver to Nigerians. My prayer is that God will grant our leaders and the party’s structure the wisdom to come together and chart a new path for our country,” he said.
He emphasised that the opposition must not enter the 2027 elections divided.
“This coalition is meant to rescue Nigeria. Since the 2023 elections, I have consistently maintained that the opposition cannot afford to go into the next polls fragmented. A united, robust coalition is the only way we stand a chance of delivering this country,” he added.
However, the APC in Lagos described the move as inconsequential. The party’s spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, dismissed Rhodes-Vivour’s defection as a replay of what he termed a “pattern of political nomadism.”
“He is only following the footsteps of his mentor, Peter Obi, who is known for moving from one party to another whenever it suits him. For us in the APC, this is nothing but noise. We remain focused on strengthening our party and delivering good governance to Lagosians. He should learn the ropes rather than keep hopping from one platform to another,” Oladejo said.
The APC spokesman also argued that Rhodes-Vivour posed no electoral threat to the ruling party, insisting that the APC would defeat any candidate presented by the opposition coalition.
“If they eventually give him a ticket, he will still lose. The APC will defeat whoever the opposition fields in 2027. Let’s not forget, he was in the PDP, then moved to the Labour Party before the last election, and now he has landed in the ADC. Clearly, this is not about ideology but ambition,” Oladejo added.
