LP Dismisses Rhodes-Vivour’s Defection to ADC as”Laughable,” Touts 2027 Coalition Plan

The Labour Party (LP) has dismissed the defection of its 2023 Lagos State governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as an inconsequential and “laughable” move that shows his political immaturity.

In a statement on Sunday, the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Tony Akeni, said the LP was only responding due to media inquiries, asserting that Rhodes-Vivour’s departure “did not affect the party in any way.”

The reaction came after Rhodes-Vivour formally joined the ADC on Saturday, praising the party’s intentions and prospects for Nigeria.

The Labour Party used the occasion to outline its strategic vision for the 2027 elections. Akeni stated that the party believes a “rainbow coalition” of opposition parties is essential to defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which it labeled a “tyranny” seeking a one-party state.

This coalition strategy, which the party claims is being championed by its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would involve opposition forces uniting behind the most formidable presidential candidate and the strongest governorship candidate in each state, regardless of their original party platform.

The LP framed Rhodes-Vivour’s defection as a hasty mistake that runs counter to this patient, unified approach.

It suggested he should have followed Obi’s example by remaining within the LP while working to build a broader alliance, rather than “jumping boats.”

“By jumping the gun… Rhodes-Vivour has shown that he is still to learn some imperative essentials in his young political journey,” Akeni stated, advising that politicians who mean to serve should “learn to hurry slowly.”

The party also alleged a “hidden hand” of the APC is behind some political developments to frustrate genuine opposition, but expressed confidence that a united front would prevail in 2027.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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