Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has appealed for patience from supporters of the Obidient Movement amid growing backlash over his refusal to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress alongside Peter Obi and other opposition figures.
The Lagos politician made the appeal on X on Friday after some supporters questioned his decision to remain in the African Democratic Congress despite the wave of defections shaking the opposition camp ahead of the 2027 elections.
Responding to a passionate post from an Obidient supporter identified as @firstladyship, Rhodes-Vivour acknowledged the frustrations and emotions trailing the ongoing political realignments.
“Thank you so much for the love, the support not just for me, for the movement, for H.E Peter Obi, but also for Nigeria. Please believe that I will never ever take the support of the Obidients for granted,” he wrote.
Rhodes-Vivour urged his supporters to trust his judgment and allow time for unfolding political developments.
“I understand how you feel and how you see things in this moment. I only ask you for a bit of time. There is so much I wish I could explain,” he stated.
Drawing parallels with his dramatic exit from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Labour Party before the 2023 elections, he reminded critics that he had once faced similar attacks before eventually proving doubters wrong.
“I remember how PDP supporters on this App ridiculed and laughed me to scorn when I left to LP in 2022. I remember how that story ended,” he said.
The former governorship candidate further assured Obidients that his bond with the movement remained strong despite the political turbulence.
“I only ask that you hold on till the end of the month. I promise you at the end of 2027 we will be closer than we were in 2023,” he added.
The controversy erupted after a supporter warned that remaining in the ADC could hurt Rhodes-Vivour’s political future in Lagos, arguing that the party lacked the structure to defeat the ruling APC in the state.
The supporter also suggested that former Lagos governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, could become the preferred choice of Obidients if he secures the NDC governorship ticket.
“Should Doherty get the NDC’s gubernatorial ticket for Lagos State, Obidients will vote for him. That’s the much I know!” the supporter wrote.
The political tension comes amid major opposition realignments following the defection of Peter Obi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to the NDC as coalition forces intensify moves against the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite the exits rocking the ADC, Rhodes-Vivour recently reaffirmed his loyalty to the party, insisting it remains the platform capable of delivering victory.
“I want to make it clear that I am staying in the African Democratic Congress. It is the platform we have built, the ground we have fought on, and the vehicle that can take us to victory,” he had stated.
