Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, has clarified that he informed and consulted Peter Obi before defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ahead of the 2027 general elections. In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Sunday, September 7, 2025, Rhodes-Vivour addressed criticisms from the Labour Party regarding his decision to leave.
According to Rhodes-Vivour, Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party and a prominent opposition figure, was fully aware of his move to join the ADC. He revealed that Obi’s representatives were present at the event where he officially declared his defection, underlining a communication and alignment between them despite the change in political platform.
Rhodes-Vivour explained that their mutual understanding was rooted in the strategic aim to build a united opposition coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. He emphasized that regardless of individual party memberships, opposition leaders have agreed on the necessity of a coalition to achieve electoral success.
The defection of Rhodes-Vivour to the ADC sparked contrasting reactions, particularly from the Labour Party, which criticized what it described as a premature and unconsulted move. However, Rhodes-Vivour defended the decision as a required step towards forming a broad alliance aimed at rescuing the country from current political and governance challenges.
The ADC, which officially became a coalition party in July 2025, has been working to unify several opposition factions under a single banner. The party leadership has expressed that key figures like Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and others remain aligned with this shared goal, even as formal membership processes are ongoing.
Rhodes-Vivour’s remarks reaffirm the evolving dynamics within Nigeria’s opposition landscape as the nation prepares for a critical electoral contest that could redefine its political future.
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