Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour urges Nigeria to have a strong opposition, criticises the National Assembly’s lack of accountability, and hints at a 2027 run.

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]badebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Lagos State during the 2023 general elections, has called for a vibrant opposition to challenge the activities of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday evening, Rhodes-Vivour expressed his belief that a strong opposition is vital for the country’s democracy.

Also read: Lagos is not a no man’s land, Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour echoes General Mobolaji Johnson’s words

He acknowledged the ongoing crisis within the Labour Party, comparing it to sibling rivalry, but stressed that the disagreements within the party remained civil.

He noted that no faction of the party had resorted to violence or thuggery, unlike some political rivalries in the past.

“The important thing is that they are civil about how they have these disagreements.

There is a situation where they are in court, and they are following that process. Nobody is sending thugs to destroy the secretariat, or anything like that,” he explained.

Rhodes-Vivour also praised the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for his continued activism following the election, highlighting Obi’s commitment to holding the government accountable and advocating for the welfare of the people.

“I’m very grateful for His Excellency, Peter Obi, who has not gone quiet since the election. You see him constantly out there, speaking truth to power, doing his best to lift people up in his capacity that he can,” he said.

However, Rhodes-Vivour expressed disappointment with the opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly, drawing comparisons to the tenure of former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

He lamented that the current Senate has failed to hold the government accountable, unlike Saraki’s Senate, which, he argued, actively pushed back against the executive.

“I’m also disappointed with the National Assembly, especially members of the opposition. I mean we saw what happened with the Bukola Saraki senate.

I’m not saying he’s perfect, but that Senate held the government accountable, there was some pushback. They did what they were supposed to do. We don’t see that here,” Rhodes-Vivour said, describing the current Senate as a “rubber stamp.”

When asked about his political future, Rhodes-Vivour confirmed that he intends to run for governor again in 2027, although he did not specify if it would be on the Labour Party’s platform. He stated, “By God’s grace, yes,” in response to whether he would run for governor.

However, his immediate focus is on strengthening the Labour Party. He noted that the 2027 elections would be “a waste of time” unless opposition parties, including the Labour Party, come together to form a unified front against the ruling APC.

“For me, I believe that if all parties do not come together, it is going to be a waste of time running in 2027 because there is a full state capture happening in this country now.

We cannot afford for the opposition to be separate,” Rhodes-Vivour emphasised, adding that his priority was to ensure a robust Labour Party.

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