Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos state, says only residents of Lagos state have the right to decide who governs them.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Rhodes-Vivour reacted to reports of an alleged plan to remove Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos state.
His reaction follows a report by Sahara Reporters, which claimed there were moves to force the governor to resign on health grounds and pave the way for his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, to take over.
However, the Lagos state government dismissed the report, describing the claim as false and urged the public to disregard it.
Reacting, Rhodes-Vivour accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of undermining the will of Lagosians.
“The APC, and particularly Mr President, are mistaken to believe they have stripped Lagosians of agency,” he said.
He warned against what he described as attempts to impose leadership decisions on the state.
“That who becomes governor or when to remove the said governor is reduced to the feelings of one man is insulting and must no longer be tolerated,” he said.
Rhodes-Vivour insisted that leadership decisions must rest with the people.
“Only the people of Lagos can and must determine those who will lead them,” he said.
“Only them also reserve the right to decide when they are fed up with who governs the state.”
The ADC governorship hopeful added that Lagos should not be controlled by the interests of a few individuals.
“Lagos is bigger than the whims of one man,” he said.
The ADC chieftain also urged residents to take decisive action in the next election cycle.
In 2027, we must end this and elect a governor that is accountable to the people,” he said.
He called for a return to people-driven governance in the state.
“It is time to restore our Lagos in the interest of all Lagosians,” he added.
