In a bold move shaking up Nigeria’s opposition politics, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate for Lagos State, has officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The announcement came during a tense event in Alimosho Local Government Area on Saturday, September 6, 2025, where Rhodes-Vivour received the party’s flag amid reports of police interference and attacks by suspected thugs.
Rhodes-Vivour, often called GRV, confirmed his switch in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, stating he would declare for the ADC coalition the next day. “No amount of police intimidation, sealed venues, or harassment will stop this historic event. Lagos belongs to the people, and we will not be silenced,” he wrote. The formal declaration went ahead despite hurdles, including the sealing of the original venue, Lion Field, by police operatives just a day earlier. Organizers had secured approvals for the site, but Rhodes-Vivour accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using state agencies to suppress opposition activities.
Speaking at the event, Rhodes-Vivour explained his decision as a push for opposition unity ahead of the 2027 elections. “This coalition is meant to rescue Nigeria. Since the 2023 elections, I have said we cannot afford to divide the opposition ahead of 2027. We must come together through a robust, strong coalition that can deliver Nigeria from those who hold power through thuggery, violence, and intimidation,” he said. He emphasized that the gathering was a constitutional political meeting, not a rally, and vowed to meet with the Lagos Commissioner of Police to clarify the heavy security presence, questioning if officers were there to protect or intimidate attendees.
The event turned chaotic when suspected APC-linked hoodlums disrupted proceedings, allegedly with police support. Reports indicate Rhodes-Vivour’s personal photographer was beaten, and supporters were dispersed from a backup venue. Eyewitnesses described the area as militarized, with soldiers and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives restricting access late Friday night. Rhodes-Vivour’s aide, Olalekan Anjolaiya, called it “unprecedented harassment,” noting similar events for defecting PDP governors to the APC in other states faced no such interference.
Lagos ADC Chairman George Ashiru welcomed Rhodes-Vivour warmly, hailing his arrival as a boost to the party’s coalition efforts. “We are not affirming one man; we are affirming a movement. What Rhodes-Vivour represents is the leadership of a movement that shook Lagos in the last election,” Ashiru said. He added that the ADC’s vision is for “a global Lagos – Lagos for everybody, where citizens and their children have opportunities for the future.” The defection aligns with recent opposition maneuvers, including alignments by figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, as the ADC positions itself as a united front against President Bola Tinubu’s APC.
Rhodes-Vivour, a 42-year-old architect and entrepreneur from a prominent Lagos family, first rose to prominence as the KOWA Party candidate in the 2017 Ikeja local election. He later ran for Lagos West Senatorial seat under the PDP in 2019, coming second, before switching to the Labour Party for the 2023 gubernatorial race. There, he finished runner-up to incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, polling strongly among youth and drawing attention for his focus on infrastructure, environmental issues, and anti-GMO advocacy through his foundation. His 2023 campaign was marked by ethnic tensions and allegations of violence, but it galvanized a youth movement in Africa’s largest city.
This switch highlights deepening rifts within the opposition, with Rhodes-Vivour citing the need to avoid division post-2023. It could strengthen the ADC’s base in Lagos, a key battleground, by absorbing Labour Party supporters disillusioned after the party’s internal crises. However, the violence at the event raises concerns about escalating political tensions, potentially drawing scrutiny from human rights groups and international observers. Police have yet to comment officially, but the incident may prompt calls for investigations into alleged misuse of security forces.
As Nigeria gears up for 2027, Rhodes-Vivour’s move underscores the high stakes in Lagos politics, where opposition unity could challenge the APC’s long dominance. For now, it signals a new chapter for GRV and the ADC, even as questions linger about fair play in the democratic process.