Rhodes-Vivour Backs Atiku, Addresses Lagos Land Debate

The Lagos State governorship candidate for the African Democratic Congress, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has said he has no problem with former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi. This is despite the political differences between Obi and his chosen candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Rhodes-Vivour shared this during an interview with BBC Igbo, which was posted on Monday. He explained that his main focus is Lagos State while also showing his support for the ADC and its presidential candidate.

“I have no issues whatsoever with His Excellency Peter Obi, regardless of what happens at the top level. My first priority and my first love is Lagos State, and I must always make decisions based on Lagos first,” he said.

The ADC candidate talked about his past political experiences with both Atiku and Obi. He mentioned that their political roles have changed over the years.

“The first time I ran for Senate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was a presidential candidate; His Excellency Peter Obi was his vice president,” Rhodes-Vivour said.

He continued, “The next election His Excellency Peter Obi was running for president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was running for president, and His Excellency Peter Obi was a presidential candidate.”

Rhodes-Vivour stated that being part of the ADC means Atiku is his presidential candidate. He promised to do everything possible for the success of the ADC.

“I’m in the ADC, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is my presidential candidate, that’s where I am, so we are going to do everything we can for our party as the ADC,” he said.

He also encouraged Nigerians to make their own choices when voting. He emphasized the need to make sure every vote counts.

“Nigerians should vote for who they believe is going to take them forward, and let’s ensure as a people that our voices are heard, and our votes count,” he said.

When asked if he believed Lagos was a no-man’s land, Rhodes-Vivour disagreed and said the state has never been one.

“Lagos has never been a no-man’s land,” he said.

The governorship candidate questioned why people would call Lagos a no-man’s land, especially considering land ownership and sales in the state.

“You know, every four years you hear these things, you don’t come and hear that one Igbo man called Chukwu said that Lagos is a no-man’s land. These things are not true, because these people that you are talking about should be there on money that they pay money to,” he said.

He added, “If it’s no-man’s land, who are they buying the land from?”

Rhodes-Vivour expressed that calling Lagos a no-man’s land is offensive to him and his heritage.

“But for anybody to say Lagos is a no-man’s land, that’s a very big insult. It’s an insult not just to me, it’s an insult to my ancestors,” he said.