Lagos 2027: ‘I will campaign in Yoruba’ — GRV
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour to Campaign in Yoruba for 2027 Lagos Governorship Election
By Bayo Wahab
LAGOS — Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Lagos governorship election in 2027, announced his intention to conduct his campaign in Yoruba. This statement was made during a recent interview on Arise TV.
Rhodes-Vivour, who previously ran as the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 gubernatorial election, addressed concerns regarding his fluency in Yoruba. His proficiency in the language came under scrutiny during his last campaign, particularly after he remarked in an interview that he did not “think in Yoruba.”
In his interview, Rhodes-Vivour revealed that he has begun taking lessons to improve his command of the language, recognizing its significance in connecting with voters in Lagos. “Culture and language are very important,” he said. “I’ve gotten a Yoruba teacher, and I’ve learned Yoruba, and I’ll campaign in Yoruba.”
Despite emphasizing the importance of language, Rhodes-Vivour pointed out that the core issues of his campaign will extend beyond ethnic and linguistic considerations. He highlighted persistent challenges such as flooding, inadequate housing, and traffic congestion, which he believes affect all residents of Lagos, regardless of their background.
“My passionate interest is to ensure that we have a Lagos that no longer stinks,” he stated, underscoring the shared experiences of residents facing these issues. “Everybody is experiencing the failure of our flooding, our housing crisis, our traffic, and the loss of dignity of Lagosians—these connect all of us, regardless of language.”
In the 2023 governorship election, Rhodes-Vivour finished second to the incumbent, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who represented the All Progressives Congress.
