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Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in what many see as a major step towards building a stronger opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Rhodes-Vivour made the declaration on Saturday at an event in Lagos. His move comes as the ADC continues to push for a broad coalition of opposition parties to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the event, Rhodes-Vivour said he decided to join the ADC because of the urgent need for unity among opposition groups. According to him, Nigeria cannot afford a divided opposition if it hopes to end the APC’s hold on power in 2027.
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“This is a coalition that is meant to rescue Nigeria,” he said. “Since the 2023 elections, I have been saying that we cannot go into the next elections as divided opposition parties. We must unite to stand a real chance of delivering this country in 2027.”
The declaration did not happen without drama. Rhodes-Vivour accused security operatives of trying to frustrate the event. According to him, the police stopped him and his supporters from accessing the original venue in the Alimosho area on Saturday morning.
The programme was eventually moved to another location within the local government area, where it was finally held. Rhodes-Vivour said he would later address the press in detail about the incident. Despite the setback, he confirmed his membership in the ADC coalition, stressing that nothing would stop the movement.
Welcoming him, the Lagos State chairman of the ADC, George Ashiru, described the development as a major boost for the opposition movement.
“This is not just about one man,” Ashiru said. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour represents the leadership of a movement that shook Lagos in the last election. Today, that movement is joining our family, and together, we are building something stronger.”
He explained that the coalition between ADC and other opposition blocs had been in the making since the 2023 elections and was now maturing into a platform that could seriously challenge the APC.
According to Ashiru, the opposition has realised that the only way to defeat the ruling party is to come together under a united front, instead of working in isolation.
Also at the event was Professor Ola Olateju, who represented former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He encouraged party members not to underestimate themselves, stressing that ordinary Nigerians can lead the rescue mission for the country.
“We should not look at ourselves as if we are not competent to rescue Nigeria,” Olateju said. “Anybody here can become anything. ADC is not just a political party, it is a movement of the people. It is an exodus a march to rescue Nigeria.”
Rhodes-Vivour’s defection is the latest in a series of political realignments taking place ahead of 2027. The ADC had officially announced its plan to lead a coalition of opposition parties in July, courting prominent figures to form a “third force” against the APC.
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The coalition is banking on the frustration many Nigerians feel over the current economic situation, high cost of living, insecurity, and unemployment. Many opposition leaders believe these issues will create a strong appetite for change in 2027 if they can present a united front.
Rhodes-Vivour’s popularity, especially among the youth in Lagos, is seen as a valuable asset to the coalition. In the 2023 governorship election, he ran on the Labour Party ticket and mounted a serious challenge against the APC, although he lost to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Analysts believe his decision to join the ADC could help bridge the gap between the Labour Party and other opposition movements, making the coalition stronger.
Despite the excitement, political observers warn that building and sustaining a united opposition coalition will not be easy. In the past, efforts to form strong alliances have collapsed due to differences in ideology, leadership tussles, and personal ambitions of key figures.
For the ADC coalition to succeed, it will have to overcome these hurdles, manage egos, and present a single credible candidate who can unite Nigerians across ethnic, religious, and regional lines.
One of the major talking points at the event was the idea that the ADC is not just another political party, but a movement. Leaders at the declaration repeatedly described the coalition as a collective effort to rescue Nigeria, rather than a platform for personal ambition.
Whether Nigerians will see it that way remains to be seen. For now, the ADC and its new allies are working hard to present themselves as a genuine alternative to the APC, and even the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
With the next elections still two years away, Rhodes-Vivour’s defection is seen as an early signal of how intense the political battle will be. His presence in the ADC coalition adds momentum to the growing calls for a united opposition.
As the countdown to 2027 begins, Nigerians will be watching closely to see if this coalition can survive the test of time, or if it will go the way of past alliances that fell apart before reaching the ballot.
For now, Rhodes-Vivour has taken his stand. He is leaving the Labour Party behind and throwing his weight behind the ADC coalition, which says its mission is simple: to rescue Nigeria.
