Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos state has insisted that there is no leadership vacuum in the African Democratic Congress, dismissing claims of internal disarray within the party.
Rhodes-Vivour spoke on Wednesday during an interview on Politics Today, where he maintained that the party’s leadership transition was duly conducted with the involvement of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“How can we have a leadership vacuum when INEC was part of the process that handed over to a new leadership?” he asked.
According to him, party stakeholders formally notified INEC of the transition, adding that the electoral body witnessed and acknowledged the process.
“There were people who called INEC to say we are handing over. INEC was there, they saw the affidavit. So how can anyone now say there is a leadership vacuum?” he said.
The former Lagos governorship candidate, who later joined the ADC, alleged that the narrative of a leadership crisis is part of a broader attempt to destabilise the party and hinder its electoral chances.
He claimed that the situation points to “foul play” aimed at disrupting the party’s congresses and convention, thereby preventing it from fielding candidates in future elections.
“To make sure that we cannot produce our candidates, cannot do our convention or congress — that is the goal,” he said.
Rhodes-Vivour further alleged that the ultimate objective is to create a political environment that sidelines opposition parties.
“If you truncate this process and there are tight deadlines, then we won’t be able to participate in the elections. That is how you end up with a one-man state,” he added.
He also criticised what he described as shrinking democratic space, alleging that opposition activities are frequently disrupted by security agencies and political actors in some states.
Despite the challenges, Rhodes-Vivour expressed confidence in the party’s ability to overcome the situation, insisting that Nigerians remain committed to democratic participation and credible leadership.
