Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate for Lagos State in the 2023 general election, has voiced his support for Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, as the leader Nigeria needs. However, Rhodes-Vivour distinguishes between Obi as a national leader and the kind of politician needed for Lagos.
Speaking on the Honest Bunch Podcast, Rhodes-Vivour stated, “Peter Obi is the leader that we need for Nigeria, but not the politician we need for us.” This nuanced perspective suggests admiration for Obi’s leadership qualities on a national scale while acknowledging differences in local political contexts.
Rhodes-Vivour further emphasized Obi’s integrity by asserting that Obi does not engage in vote-buying tactics, claiming that Obi emerged as a top contender in Lagos without resorting to such practices.
In the 2023 elections, Peter Obi secured third place behind President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar. Meanwhile, Rhodes-Vivour himself contested for the gubernatorial seat but lost to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Despite the outcome, Rhodes-Vivour pursued legal recourse, challenging the election results up to the Supreme Court.
In January 2024, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court unanimously affirmed Governor Sanwo-Olu’s victory, dismissing Rhodes-Vivour’s appeals challenging the election outcome. This legal conclusion marked the end of Rhodes-Vivour’s electoral dispute, solidifying Sanwo-Olu’s position as the duly elected governor of Lagos State.
