Posted by Chinenye on Wed 30th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
The Lagos APC has responded to ADC candidate Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour after he spoke about learning Yoruba ahead of the 2027 election.
(ADC Lagos Governorship Candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour. THISDAYLIVE)
The Lagos State chapter of the APC has challenged ADC governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour to show a deeper understanding of Lagos beyond his decision to learn Yoruba ahead of the 2027 election.
PC Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo said this on Tuesday in reaction to Rhodes-Vivour's claim that he hired a Yoruba teacher and can now campaign in the language.
Rhodes-Vivour made the claim in an online interview, where he agreed that language and culture matter but said his focus is solving the problems facing residents across the state.
He named flooding, housing and traffic as major issues and said they affect people no matter their ethnic or language background.
He also showed off his Yoruba by replying Mo ki gbogbo yin after a presenter greeted him in the language.
Oladejo welcomed the effort but asked if speaking Yoruba alone proves an understanding of Lagos.
He said language carries history, humour, values and traditions, and urged the ADC candidate to also learn the history, culture, institutions and governance challenges of Lagos.
He also faulted Rhodes-Vivour's remarks about APC candidate Dr Obafemi Hamzat, saying criticism cannot wipe out Hamzat's years of public service as commissioner and deputy governor.
He said it is fair to say the government has not done enough, but it is curious to suggest experience has no value just because Lagos still has problems.
On traffic, Oladejo said the issue needs more than political talk and asked Rhodes-Vivour to explain how he would fix it.
He wants to hear his plan for roads, funding, mass transit, implementation, timelines and measurable targets.
He said Lagos is one of Africa's biggest urban and economic centres and cannot be run like a village road network.
Oladejo said Lagos is not governed by Instagram posts, television appearances or slogans, but by institutions, budgets, planning, infrastructure, security and daily administrative decisions.
He urged Rhodes-Vivour to let residents judge his record, plans and ability instead of focusing mainly on Hamzat, adding that 2027 is not an audition for television but a conversation about the future of Lagos.