“MY BUSINESS IS GOVERNANCE”: RHODES-VIVOUR DEFENDS YORUBA, BACKS ATIKU

RHODES-VIVOUR: MY YORUBA MAY NOT BE PERFECT, BUT MY COMMITMENT TO LAGOS IS, BACKS ATIKU

African Democratic Congress, ADC, Lagos governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has said his inability to speak fluent Yoruba does not make him less committed to preserving Lagos’ indigenous culture, while declaring former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar his presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Rhodes-Vivour made the comments while addressing questions surrounding his Yoruba identity, his relationship with former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, his support for Atiku and his criticism of President Bola Tinubu.

His comments came after a controversy over his response to a question on Yoruba culture and language at an Independence Day edition of The Platform.

“I DON’T HAVE TO SPEAK PERFECT YORUBA”

Rhodes-Vivour said he had never denied the Yoruba identity of Lagos. He specifically acknowledged the role of indigenous groups, including the Aworis and Eguns, in the development of the city.

He explained that his challenge was one of linguistic fluency rather than rejection of Yoruba identity. He said he often processes his thoughts in English before translating them into other languages. “My Yoruba set has a way to go and we are making efforts,” he said.

But he insisted that governance should not be reduced to the candidate’s ability to speak perfect Yoruba.

“My business is governance. I don’t have to speak perfect Yoruba to preserve and protect the indigenous culture of Lagos,” he said.

“LAGOS HAS NEVER BEEN A NO-MAN’S LAND”

Rhodes-Vivour also rejected the description of Lagos as a “no-man’s land”. He argued that the description ignores the state’s indigenous history and questioned how land ownership could be discussed without recognising those from whom land was acquired.

“If it’s no-man’s land, who are they buying the land from?” he asked. He described the expression as an insult not only to him but to his ancestors.“Lagos has never been a no-man’s land,” he said.

WHERE HE STANDS ON ATIKU AND OBI

The ADC candidate was also asked to clarify his relationship with Peter Obi amid the political differences between Obi and Atiku. Rhodes-Vivour said there was no personal problem between him and Obi.

“I have no issues whatsoever with His Excellency Peter Obi, regardless of what happens at the top level,” he said.

He explained that his political journey had previously placed him in the same political camp with both Obi and Atiku at different times. He recalled that when he first contested for the Senate, Atiku was the presidential candidate while Obi served as his running mate.

The political configuration later changed, with Atiku and Obi contesting separately. But in the present political arrangement, Rhodes-Vivour said his position was straightforward.

“I’m in the ADC, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is my presidential candidate,” he said.

He also urged Nigerians to vote according to their convictions and ensure that their votes count.

WHY HE USED “AFONJA”

Rhodes-Vivour also addressed criticism surrounding his use of the historical name “Afonja” in reference to Tinubu.

He said the expression was not intended as an insult to Yoruba people or as an attempt to portray Tinubu as the representative of the entire Yoruba race. Rather, he said his criticism was directed at what he described as Tinubu’s silence over killings involving Yoruba people and his alleged prioritisation of political alliances.

“It’s not an insult or a slur on the entire Yoruba race. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not the avatar for the entire Yoruba race,” he said.

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The remarks are Rhodes-Vivour’s political interpretation and criticism, rather than an established finding of fact.

“THE STENCH OF LAGOS”

Rhodes-Vivour then turned his attention to what he described as the problems facing Lagos. He criticised the state government over housing, traffic, flooding, waste management, roads, schools and what he alleged was corruption in the management of state finances.

He also criticised comments attributed to the current administration about traffic and housing, arguing that poor living conditions should not be normalised. His proposed alternative, he said, would focus heavily on housing, transportation and infrastructure.

100,000 AFFORDABLE HOMES

Rhodes-Vivour said an ADC administration would target the delivery of 100,000 affordable housing units. He also said his administration would seek to expand the rail system within two years.

On flooding, he promised a major intervention in drainage and flood management. On waste management, he proposed decentralising the system and giving local governments a greater role.

He said the government would develop waste-to-wealth and waste-to-energy opportunities while addressing what he described as entrenched racketeering in the sector.

YOUNG PEOPLE AND STREET ECONOMY

Rhodes-Vivour also linked his proposed waste reforms to a broader social intervention. He said young people involved in street activities should be provided with alternative pathways into productive livelihoods.

His proposal, he said, would combine enforcement with opportunities for young people rather than relying solely on policing.

LAGOS FIRST

At the heart of Rhodes-Vivour’s interview was his insistence that his primary political interest remains Lagos.

That position also informed his explanation of why he could support Atiku while maintaining cordial relations with Obi.

“My first priority and my first love is Lagos State,” he said.

His political message therefore combines three strands: defending Lagos’ indigenous identity, supporting Atiku within the ADC structure and presenting himself as a candidate focused on governance rather than linguistic perfection.

ValidViewNetwork reports that Rhodes-Vivour’s latest comments offer a broader picture of his 2027 campaign than the Yoruba-language controversy alone. His position is that cultural preservation can be institutionalised through government policy, that Lagos’ indigenous identity should be recognised without excluding residents from other backgrounds, and that his present political allegiance is firmly with the ADC and Atiku.

Whether Lagos voters accept that argument will ultimately be decided by the electorate. For now, Rhodes-Vivour has made his political positions clear: Lagos first, Atiku as his presidential candidate, and governance as the central measure by which he wants his candidacy judged.