Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has ruled out any political alliance with President Bola Tinubu, insisting he would rather bow out of politics than work with the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.
Rhodes-Vivour, who formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over the weekend, said his political philosophy was incompatible with the Tinubu brand of politics that dominates Lagos.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, the ADC chieftain dismissed suggestions that aligning with Tinubu would boost his chances of becoming Lagos governor.
“No. I’ll rather go and focus on my business, work and family; that would be a complete waste of time,” he said.
The politician argued that his mission was to “restore Lagos to its old glory” and ensure the state’s wealth serves the people
“Any party or platform that does not allow me to maximise the commonwealth of Lagos for the benefit of the people is a waste of time,” he added.
Tinubu, who served as Lagos governor from 1999 to 2007, is widely regarded as the political kingmaker of the state.
However, he lost Lagos to Labour Party’s Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election.
Rhodes-Vivour disclosed that Obi approved his defection to the ADC, noting that opposition parties were already working on a coalition ahead of the next elections.
Meanwhile, the politician accused Lagos police of supervising attacks on his supporters during an event in Alimosho on Saturday.
According to him, thugs stormed his campaign ground, leaving several people injured, including his sister.
But the Lagos State Police Command swiftly denied the allegation, describing it as false and misleading.
In a statement by Deputy PRO DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi, the command insisted that no report of such an incident was lodged and maintained that its officers only acted to ensure public order.
The police further stated that the APC in Alimosho duly notified the command of its own rally on the same date, but no such notice came from Rhodes-Vivour.
