2027: Rhodes-Vivour Reveals His Presidential Candidate

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Lagos State governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has stated that he has no issues with former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, despite their differing political alignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking during an interview with BBC Igbo uploaded on Monday, Rhodes-Vivour explained that his main political priority remains Lagos State, while reaffirming his commitment to the ADC and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

“I have no issues whatsoever with His Excellency Peter Obi, regardless of what happens at the top level. My first priority and my first love is Lagos State, and I must always make decisions based on Lagos first,” he said.

Reflecting on his political trajectory, Rhodes-Vivour recalled his past associations with both Atiku and Obi, noting how political realignments have shifted over successive election cycles.

“The first time I ran for Senate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was a presidential candidate; His Excellency Peter Obi was his vice president,” he observed. “The next election, His Excellency Peter Obi was running for president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was running for president, and His Excellency Peter Obi was a presidential candidate.”

He explained that his present party platform dictates his current stance, confirming that he will fully support Atiku Abubakar under the ADC umbrella.

“I’m in the ADC, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is my presidential candidate, that’s where I am, so we are going to do everything we can for our party as the ADC,” Rhodes-Vivour stated.

He nevertheless urged the electorate to vote according to their convictions and advocated for electoral integrity in the upcoming polls.

“Nigerians should vote for who they believe is going to take them forward, and let’s ensure as a people that our voices are heard, and our votes count,” he added.

Addressing recurring political rhetoric describing Lagos as a “no-man’s land,” Rhodes-Vivour firmly rejected the narrative, emphasizing the historical and economic realities of land ownership in the state.

“Lagos has never been a no-man’s land,” he declared. “You know, every four years you hear these things, you don’t come and hear that one Igbo man called Chukwu said that Lagos is a no-man’s land. These things are not true, because these people that you are talking about, should be there on money that they pay money to.”

He added: “If it’s no-man’s land, who are they buying the land from?”

Rhodes-Vivour emphasized that such statements disrespect the indigenous heritage of the state.

“But for anybody to say Lagos is a no-man’s land, that’s a very big insult. It’s an insult not just to me, it’s an insult to my ancestors,” he concluded.