Rhodes-Vivour: Obidient Movement Still With Me Despite Split From Peter Obi

African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has said the Obidient movement remains supportive of his 2027 governorship ambition despite his decision to contest on a different political platform from Peter Obi.

Rhodes-Vivour made the claim during an interview on BlackBox, a talk show hosted by Rufai Oseni, while discussing the prospects of his campaign after Obi’s move from the Labour Party and ADC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Obi has since emerged as the NDC’s presidential candidate for 2027. Channels Television

Asked whether the political wave associated with Obi would still benefit him, Rhodes-Vivour said the values that attracted supporters to the movement remained part of his political identity. He argued that his consistency and continued relationship with members of the movement had kept him connected to them.
“I feel that the qualities that movement adopted or welcomed, those are qualities that I still carry. Those are qualities that have been consistent with. I’ve been with them in the trenches,” he said.

Rhodes-Vivour recalled that his relationship with supporters continued after the 2023 election. He cited instances of personal relationships and support, including assistance with hospital bills, as evidence that his connection with members of the movement extended beyond the election campaign.

The ADC candidate said he believed his continued identification with the movement’s values had made him a trusted figure among its members despite the political separation between him and Obi. “I believe that when push comes to shove, that movement is still with me,” he said.

In 2023, Rhodes-Vivour contested the Lagos governorship election on the Labour Party platform, while Obi ran for president on the same platform. Obi won Lagos in the presidential election, while Rhodes-Vivour finished second in the governorship contest behind incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

For 2027, Rhodes-Vivour is contesting under the ADC, whose presidential candidate is former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, while Obi is running for president under the NDC. Funso Doherty is the NDC’s Lagos governorship candidate. The Guardian Nigeria Rhodes-Vivour has previously said he has no issues with Obi and maintains a relationship with him, while making clear that Atiku is his presidential candidate.