2027: Lagos APC dismisses Rhodes-Vivour, Gbadamosi ticket as ‘Political Experiment’

LAGOS — The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has described the newly unveiled governorship ticket of Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Babatunde Gbadamosi under the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as a “political experiment” ahead of the 2027 election.

In a statement on Thursday, Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, said the emergence of the opposition candidates did not automatically translate into governing experience or grassroots political structure.

Oladejo argued that Lagos was not an “internship centre” for political experimentation, stressing that governing the state required experience in managing its bureaucracy, budget and complex infrastructure.

He also questioned the executive experience of the two candidates, citing their participation in different political parties in previous election cycles.

According to him, Rhodes-Vivour previously contested under the KOWA Party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Labour Party, before emerging as the ADC candidate, while Gbadamosi had contested under the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party, ANRP/Action Democratic Party, ADP, and PDP.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with political evolution, but party-hopping is not political institution-building.

“Lagos is a sophisticated economy with complex infrastructure and demanding urban-management challenges. Where is the record of managing a state bureaucracy or supervising a state budget?” Oladejo asked.

The APC spokesman acknowledged that Rhodes-Vivour finished second in the 2023 governorship election, scoring 312,329 votes against Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s 762,134 votes.

He, however, argued that electoral performance should not be equated with administrative capacity.

Oladejo challenged the ADC candidates to present a clear plan for governing Lagos beyond their social media presence, including details of project financing, implementation and continuity of ongoing government projects.

“The Lagos APC welcomes the Rhodes-Vivour/Gbadamosi ticket — let the contest begin.

“However, the opposition should not expect Lagosians to confuse political noise with political strength, or electoral ambition with governing capacity,” he said.