Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s (LP) governorship candidate in the 2023 Lagos State election, has reportedly decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in the state. The announcement, made earlier today, marks a significant shift in Lagos’ political landscape and comes just weeks after another high-profile defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Rhodes-Vivour, an architect and activist popularly known as GRV, contested the 2023 Lagos gubernatorial election under the Labour Party banner, riding a wave of support from young voters and the “Obidient” movement sparked by LP presidential candidate Peter Obi’s unexpected victory in Lagos during the presidential election. Despite a strong showing, Rhodes-Vivour finished as the first runner-up, securing 312,329 votes against incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC, who won with 762,134 votes in a fiercely contested election on March 18, 2023.
The defection was hinted at in recent weeks through posts on X, where political observers speculated about Rhodes-Vivour’s next move following his silence on Labour Party activities. While no official press briefing has been held by Rhodes-Vivour himself as of 12:30 PM WAT today, sources close to the politician confirmed the switch, stating that he aims to “work within a larger platform to achieve his vision for Lagos.” The APC Lagos State chapter has yet to issue an official statement welcoming him, but party insiders suggest a formal unveiling may occur later this week.
Rhodes-Vivour’s political journey has been marked by transitions. Initially a contender in the PDP primaries in May 2022, he withdrew his candidacy and joined the Labour Party, where he clinched the governorship ticket after defeating Moshood Salvador, a former APC chieftain who had also defected to LP. His campaign in 2023 focused on liberating Lagos from what he called “state capture,” promising a government powered by the people. However, allegations of voter suppression and irregularities marred the election, claims Rhodes-Vivour and the Labour Party vehemently protested, though they were unable to overturn the results.
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This defection follows a pattern of political realignment in Lagos, with the APC consolidating its dominance. Just two weeks ago, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate known as Jandor, also crossed over to the APC, citing a desire to contribute to Lagos’ development under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration. Political analysts see Rhodes-Vivour’s move as a pragmatic step, possibly driven by the challenges of opposition politics in a state long controlled by the APC and its influential leader, President Bola Tinubu.
Reactions have been mixed. Supporters of the Labour Party expressed disappointment on social media, with some accusing Rhodes-Vivour of abandoning the grassroots movement that propelled his candidacy. “GRV was our hope for a new Lagos, and now he’s joined the system he fought against,” one X user lamented. Others, however, view it as a strategic move, suggesting that working within the APC could amplify his influence on Lagos’ governance.
As of now, Rhodes-Vivour has not detailed his reasons for the switch, leaving room for speculation. Some analysts point to the Labour Party’s internal struggles and limited resources as potential factors, while others suggest negotiations with APC leaders may have secured him a role in Sanwo-Olu’s administration or a future electoral ticket.
With the 2027 elections on the horizon, this defection underscores the fluidity of Nigerian politics and the APC’s enduring pull in Lagos. Whether Rhodes-Vivour’s move strengthens the ruling party or stirs dissent among his former base remains to be seen. For now, Lagosians and political watchers alike await his next steps in this evolving saga.
