The Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who recently disclosed that he has learned the Yoruba language. APC's publicity secretary, Seye Oladejo, stated that while learning the language is commendable, it is not sufficient for understanding the complexities of Lagos governance. Oladejo emphasized that Rhodes-Vivour needs to demonstrate a deeper understanding of Lagos' history, culture, institutions, and socio-economic realities.
Rhodes-Vivour had appeared on Arise TV's Politics Today, where he revealed that he had engaged a Yoruba language teacher to improve his language skills. This move is seen as an attempt to address criticisms from the 2023 governorship election, when he struggled to speak the language. However, APC argues that language skills alone do not qualify him to govern Lagos. According to Oladejo, "There is nothing wrong with learning the language of the people one seeks to govern, but it does raise questions about how deeply he has engaged with the culture, worldview, history, traditions, and everyday aspirations of the people he seeks to lead."
The APC spokesman emphasized that Lagos is a cosmopolitan state with people from different parts of Nigeria, and the issue should not be viewed from an ethnic perspective. He noted that language is a gateway to understanding a people, as it carries history, values, traditions, and ways of seeing the world. APC urged Rhodes-Vivour to complement his Yoruba lessons with what they described as "Understanding Lagos 101" and "Thinking in Yoruba" to gain a deeper understanding of the state.
APC also defended the experience of their governorship candidate, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, against Rhodes-Vivour's attempts to dismiss his record. Hamzat, the incumbent deputy governor, has served in various capacities in the Lagos state government, including as commissioner, before becoming deputy governor. APC noted that Rhodes-Vivour has the right to criticize Hamzat's record but argued that such criticism cannot erase the experience accumulated by the APC candidate through years of public service.
On the issue of traffic, APC challenged Rhodes-Vivour's criticism of the state's transportation challenges, asking him to provide specific details of his proposed alternative. The party requested that the ADC candidate explain how he would address the state's traffic problems, including roads, financing, mass-transit plans, implementation framework, timelines, and measurable targets required to execute such plans. APC emphasized that criticism alone is not enough; they require a comprehensive plan to address the state's challenges.
The Lagos APC appears to be pushing back against Rhodes-Vivour's attempts to gain traction in the upcoming governorship election. By questioning his language skills and experience, APC aims to strengthen their candidate's position and undermine the opposition's credibility. As the election approaches, the debate between the two parties is expected to intensify, with voters eagerly awaiting comprehensive plans and proposals from the candidates.
The ADC and APC are expected to continue exchanging ideas and criticisms as the election draws near. Rhodes-Vivour's efforts to learn the Yoruba language may be seen as a positive step, but APC's response indicates that the party will scrutinize every aspect of his campaign. Ultimately, the voters will decide which candidate's message and qualifications resonate more, as Lagos prepares for another crucial election.
Key points
- APC challenges Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour to demonstrate a deeper understanding of Lagos governance challenges.
- Rhodes-Vivour's language skills are not sufficient to qualify him to govern Lagos, according to APC.
- APC defends Kadri Obafemi Hamzat's experience against Rhodes-Vivour's attempts to dismiss his record.
