Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, has stated that debates over his Yoruba language ability and family background will not address the challenges confronting residents of the state. He made this statement during an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today, while responding to criticisms from opponents. Rhodes-Vivour emphasized that while language and culture are important, they should not distract from addressing everyday problems facing Lagosians.
Rhodes-Vivour argued that the focus of political discussions should be on issues affecting residents, including traffic and other challenges confronting the state. He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of shifting attention away from what he described as the major concerns of Lagosians. According to him, the APC consistently makes discussions major on minor issues, rather than dealing with real issues affecting Lagosians.
The ADC candidate added that he would not allow questions about his background to distract him from his campaign message. He stated that his family, language, and other aspects of his background are not going to change the situation that people are facing in traffic. Rhodes-Vivour, who came second in the 2023 Lagos governorship election on the platform of the Labour Party, expressed confidence that Lagosians would support his vision for the state.
Rhodes-Vivour described integrity as one of the differences between him and the ruling party. He stated that he is not in politics to run a business or company but to impact the quality of life of Lagosians maximally. The ADC candidate also mentioned that his campaign is better prepared for the 2027 election than it was in 2023.
Rhodes-Vivour vowed not to engage in budget padding if elected, alleging that inflated figures appeared in some government budgets. He cited examples of items he claimed were allegedly inflated, including a generator and an air freshener listed in previous budgets. The ADC candidate called for greater focus on transparency in governance.
The ADC candidate also spoke about his consistency in ideas on how to improve the quality of life of residents. He emphasized that he would not be intimidated during the contest. Rhodes-Vivour's comments come as he prepares for the 2027 election, seeking to build on his 2023 performance.
Rhodes-Vivour's campaign has taken a stance on prioritizing the issues that affect Lagosians. He emphasized that discussions on language and culture, while important, should not overshadow the real challenges facing the state. The ADC candidate's focus on transparency and addressing the everyday problems of Lagosians sets him apart from his opponents.
Key points
- Rhodes-Vivour says debates over his Yoruba language ability and family background won't address Lagos' challenges.
- The ADC candidate emphasizes the need for focus on real issues affecting Lagosians, such as traffic and other challenges.
- Rhodes-Vivour vows to prioritize transparency in governance and not engage in budget padding if elected.
