Rhodes-Vivour Rejects Claims He “Dumped” Labour Party, Says ADC Move Is About Coalition

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate for Lagos State, has insisted that he did not abandon the Labour Party when he joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing his shift as part of a strategy to build a strong opposition coalition. He made these remarks during an appearance on Prime Time with Arise Television.

Rhodes-Vivour said the Labour Party is currently divided into factions, one of which supports coalition politics. He explained that he aligned with ADC because that faction has adopted it as the platform for a broader coalition. He emphasised that his political career has been characterised by remaining in opposition and that joining ADC should therefore be seen not as defecting, but as a coalition move.

The politician also noted that before making his move, he secured the approval of Peter Obi (the 2023 LP presidential candidate) who is aware of, and aligned with, the decision toward coalition building.

Rhodes-Vivour’s declaration into ADC came amid efforts to unite opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. He called for a “robust coalition” to offer Nigerians an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that a united opposition is necessary to counter what he described as governance by “thuggery, violence, and intimidation.”

Despite reactions from his former party and criticism from the APC, Rhodes-Vivour maintains that his move is consistent with his political values and past behaviour. On the LP-ADC change, he insisted: “I would not say I dumped the Labour Party,” because he views the coalition with ADC not as a betrayal but as an evolution of his opposition work.

Share to: