He said the coalition was deliberately structured to withstand the challenges that characterised previous elections and ensure that the will of voters prevails.
FILE Photo: ADC 2027 Governorship Candidate in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State for the 2027 elections, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has said the opposition coalition in the state is focused not only on mobilising voters but also on protecting votes from intimidation and manipulation.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Rhodes-Vivour said the coalition was deliberately structured to withstand the challenges that characterised previous elections and ensure that the will of voters prevails.
“Our coalition in Lagos won’t only vote but will protect our votes,” he said.
Reflecting on his experience during the 2023 governorship election, which he contested on the platform of the Labour Party and finished second, Rhodes-Vivour said the ADC had built a broad-based coalition that cuts across generations, ethnic groups and political affiliations.
According to him, the objective is to create structures capable of mobilising voters while resisting intimidation and other forms of electoral interference.
“What we did in the ADC is to build a coalition that goes across generations, that goes across tribes, that goes across parties. The idea is to build out structures that will not only be able to turn out votes but also protect and stand against intimidation that we experienced in the likes of 2023,” he said.
He argued that political power should be sustained through popular support rather than coercion.
“If you are popular and loved by the people, you will not rely on thugs, violence, intimidation to be able to get into office and maintain your power,” Rhodes-Vivour added.
The ADC candidate said the coalition’s mission is to present Lagosians with an alternative vision of governance centred on transparency, accountability and citizen participation.
“Our job is to show the people what our vision of a better Lagos looks like,” he said, stressing that the coalition is determined to ensure that votes are not only cast but also protected.
Leaning on Technology
Rhodes-Vivour identified technology as a key pillar of his vision for Lagos, arguing that effective governance must be built on transparency and public trust.
He said the state should prioritise creating a cleaner Lagos before pursuing profit, noting that governance should focus on systems that strengthen accountability and improve public confidence.
According to him, government credibility is essential to building platforms that inspire confidence among residents and investors, while encouraging broader participation in the development process.
“The state must create a very transparent system that educates and allows people to understand how the state is working. That builds trust in the system and allows for a system to start running for itself,” he said.
Rhodes-Vivour lamented what he described as a culture of “anyhowness” in Nigeria, arguing that it has weakened institutions and eroded trust in public systems.
He maintained that the coalition’s emphasis on transparency and technology is aimed at challenging that culture and fostering a governance model that is more accountable, resilient and people-centred.
