A former Lagos State governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has appealed to supporters of the Obidient movement to give him time amid criticism over his decision to remain in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Rhodes-Vivour made the appeal in a post on 𝕏 on Friday while responding to concerns from supporters who questioned his refusal to defect to the Nigeria Democratic Congress alongside Peter Obi and other opposition figures.
Responding to an emotional post by an Obidient supporter identified as @firstladyship, Rhodes-Vivour acknowledged the frustrations trailing the ongoing opposition realignments.
He wrote, “Thank you so much for the love, the support not just for me, for the movement, for H.E Peter Obi, but also for Nigeria. Please believe that I will never ever take the support of the Obidients for granted.”
The former governorship candidate praised the role played by Obidients during the 2023 elections and urged them to be patient with his political decisions.
“I understand how you feel and how you see things in this moment. I only ask you for a bit of time. There is so much I wish I could explain,” he stated.
Rhodes-Vivour compared the current situation to his controversial exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Labour Party (LP) before the 2023 elections.
He said, “I remember how PDP supporters on this App ridiculed and laughed me to scorn when I left to LP in 2022. I remember how that story ended.”
He assured supporters that his political relationship with the Obidient movement would remain strong ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I only ask that you hold on till the end of the month. I promise you at the end of 2027 we will be closer than we were in 2023,” he added.
Supporter Warns Over Lagos Race
The response followed a lengthy post by the supporter, who warned Rhodes-Vivour that remaining in the ADC could weaken his political chances in Lagos.
The user argued that the ADC lacked the political structure needed to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.
The supporter also suggested that former Lagos governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, could become the preferred choice of Obidients if he secures the NDC governorship ticket.
“Should Doherty get the NDC’s gubernatorial ticket for Lagos State, Obidients will vote for him. That’s the much I know!” the supporter wrote.
Rhodes-Vivour had earlier reaffirmed his commitment to the ADC despite the exit of key opposition figures to the NDC.
He said, “I want to make it clear that I am staying in the African Democratic Congress. It is the platform we have built, the ground we have fought on, and the vehicle that can take us to victory.”
