Former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has declared that Lagos does not belong to President Bola Tinubu or any political structure, but to the people who live and work in the state.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Rhodes-Vivour criticised successive administrations in Lagos for what he described as poor governance, widespread neglect of infrastructure, and reliance on intimidation to maintain political dominance.
“I don’t believe that Lagos belongs to one man. That’s why my entire movement is called Our Lagos. Lagos is our shared responsibility. Lagos is our home. And the idea that Lagos belongs to one man is something I’m completely against,” he said.
He alleged that for over two decades, political leaders in the state have prioritised control of power over service delivery.
“The idea that our commonwealth can be commandeered by one man for over two decades is something I’m against. It’s not about me; it’s about the people of Lagos, and by extension the people of Nigeria,” he added.
Rhodes-Vivour pointed to Alimosho Local Government as an example, accusing officials of paying more attention to disrupting opposition activities than fixing dilapidated inner roads.
“You have local government chairmen going on terrible inner roads with policemen, not to repair them, but to stop opposition parties from gathering. If they had given people good quality governance, they would not be threatened by opposition,” he said.
He further argued that “reliance on violence” to maintain power is evidence of failure in leadership.
“Violence is the last refuge of incompetence. They have not lifted people’s lives enough to use that as their campaign. Instead, they rely on intimidation. That in itself says everything,” he stated.
APC Defends Tinubu’s Legacy
In reaction, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos dismissed Rhodes-Vivour’s comments as baseless.
Party officials insist that President Tinubu, who governed Lagos from 1999 to 2007, laid the foundation for modern infrastructure and reforms that successive governments have continued to build on.
An APC chieftain argued that Rhodes-Vivour’s remarks are politically motivated.
“Everyone can see the development strides in Lagos — from road expansion to healthcare, education, and the rail system. Lagos is not in the hands of one man; it is run through democratic institutions. Those who lose elections often find it convenient to discredit the system,” the party official said
The APC also maintains that Lagos remains a model for governance in Nigeria, pointing to its strong internally generated revenue base and recent projects such as the Blue Line Rail.
Broader Debate on Lagos Politics
Political observers note that Lagos has long been central to Nigeria’s democracy, with critics often accusing the ruling APC of concentrating too much power in the hands of a few.
Supporters, however, argue that the state’s stability and continuous growth are products of consistent leadership.
Rhodes-Vivour, who came second in the 2023 governorship election, has continued to position himself as a voice for reform in Lagos, calling for what he terms “people-driven leadership.”
The debate over whether Lagos belongs to “the people” or is controlled by a political dynasty is expected to remain a key talking point ahead of future elections in the state.