‘I Can Win Without Peter Obi, Obidient Movement’ – Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Declares

• ADC governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour says he can win the 2027 Lagos governorship election without Peter Obi or the Obidient movement, insisting…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has expressed confidence that he can win the 2027 governorship election without the direct backing of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi or the Obidient movement.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour said his political journey has evolved significantly since the 2023 elections, stressing that his campaign is now anchored on years of grassroots engagement across Lagos.

“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.

While acknowledging that Peter Obi played a major role in the Labour Party’s performance during the 2023 elections, Rhodes-Vivour maintained that he has since built an independent political structure capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He explained that his continued presence in communities affected by issues such as demolitions has strengthened public confidence in his leadership, adding that he has consistently offered alternative solutions to residents.

Rhodes-Vivour also dismissed suggestions of any rift with Obi, describing the former presidential candidate as “a fantastic candidate” and insisting their relationship remains cordial despite belonging to different political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, he joined the ADC because the party has successfully built a broad opposition coalition in Lagos.

“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,” he said.

He added that his political strategy is based on careful planning rather than emotion, expressing confidence that the ADC would perform strongly in the 2027 governorship election. Rhodes-Vivour also rejected claims that his popularity exists mainly on social media, insisting that his support is rooted in communities across Lagos.