Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the former Labour Party governorship candidate for Lagos, announced his decision to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), asserting that this move had the full approval of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections. Rhodes-Vivour, speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today,’ emphasized his continuous close communication and strategic alignment with Peter Obi, even noting the presence of an Obi representative at his official declaration to the ADC. He stated, “There is no step I am taking that he is not aware of,” framing his defection as a component of a broader opposition strategy for the upcoming 2027 general elections. He believes a coalition is the only viable path for the opposition to achieve electoral success, working towards a common goal “regardless of where anybody may be at this time.” This development surfaces amidst discussions of an emerging opposition coalition, with the ADC positioned as a potential platform for key figures challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

Conversely, the interim leadership of the Labour Party (LP) publicly dismissed Rhodes-Vivour’s defection, labeling the development as “laughable.” In a reaction, Mr. Tony Akeni, the LP’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, explained that while the party was compelled to respond due to media inquiries, Rhodes-Vivour’s step did not affect the party significantly. Akeni affirmed the Labour Party’s consensus that no single opposition party, including the LP, could secure victory against the incumbent APC in 2027, citing “apparent and well-known reasons.”

The LP articulated its vision for a “rainbow coalition of multi-party colours,” carrying the Nigerian electorate and driven by common mobilization, as essential to remove the APC and President Tinubu’s administration from power in 2027 and prevent what they perceive as the APC’s goal of “one-party state capture.” Akeni stressed that this patriotic manual is what Peter Obi is actively working with, and the Labour Party is fully aligned with him in this strategy. The party further claimed that the APC had a “hidden hand” in certain ongoing political developments, aiming to frustrate genuine opposition parties before the 2027 elections. However, the LP believes this situation will resolve once opposition parties unite to endorse the most formidable candidate to contest against President Bola Tinubu.

The Labour Party’s “well-considered proposition” anticipates a “confluence of all the progressive opposition political forces” that will emerge to make critical decisions, including determining the coalition’s presidential ticket for 2027. This strategy also involves adopting the most viable and ballot-winning governorship candidate in each state, irrespective of their political party platform, thereby restoring the “practice and beauty of multi-party democracy” that they allege the current APC administration is determined to destroy. Akeni highlighted that this wisdom guides Peter Obi not to formally defect to or enlist with the ADC, PDP, or any other political platform, but to remain with the Labour Party—the one he can truly call his own. The LP criticized Rhodes-Vivour for “jumping the gun and hastily jumping boats,” suggesting he has yet to learn “imperative essentials” in his political journey and that politicians genuinely serving their people should “learn to hurry slowly,” implying he should have followed Obi’s example.