‘We’ve Built Our Own Structure’: Rhodes-Vivour Explains 2027 Strategy Without Peter Obi

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has expressed confidence that he can win the 2027 governorship election without relying on the political influence 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 strength has evolved significantly since the 2023 elections, stressing that his focus has been on building grassroots structures and expanding his support base across Lagos.

Rhodes-Vivour and Obi contested the 2023 general elections under the Labour Party, with the Obidient movement playing a major role in the party's performance during both the presidential and Lagos governorship polls.

Although both politicians later joined the ADC as part of efforts to build an opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, Obi subsequently left the party following internal legal disputes and aligned with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while Rhodes-Vivour remained in the ADC.

Responding to questions about contesting without Obi's political backing, Rhodes-Vivour said his campaign strategy is rooted in years of grassroots engagement rather than dependence on any individual.

"By doing the work," he replied.

He added that his political profile and organisational structure have expanded considerably since the last election.

"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.

"All the demolitions that have been happening all over Lagos, I have been there with the people. I have provided options and shown people what a new type of Lagos can look like a Lagos that works for them and prioritises them."

Rhodes-Vivour maintained that he has no political differences with Obi, describing the former Labour Party presidential candidate as someone who performed strongly during the 2023 elections.

"We had a fantastic run in 2023. His Excellency Peter Obi was a fantastic candidate. There are no issues between us."

He, however, argued that Lagos politics requires a different electoral strategy built on broad-based alliances that cut across ethnic, religious and generational lines.

"I just felt that Lagos has a peculiar type of politics that needs a broad-based coalition across generations, across tribes and across people with different experiences, and we achieved that."

The ADC candidate said he remained in the party because it had successfully brought together opposition forces in Lagos, insisting that a united front is necessary to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

"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 in building something that I am proud of."

Expressing confidence ahead of the 2027 election, Rhodes-Vivour said his political decisions are guided by careful planning rather than emotion.

"I am not somebody that does things based on emotions. I look at strategy, I think thoroughly before a decision is made. So 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 also dismissed suggestions that his political popularity exists mainly on social media, insisting that his support is firmly rooted within communities across Lagos.

Rhodes-Vivour further alleged that the APC retained power in Lagos during the 2023 governorship election through violence rather than widespread public support, while reiterating his belief that the opposition is better positioned to challenge the ruling party in the next electoral cycle.