The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is making significant strides in Lagos politics as Rauf Aregbesola and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour actively court new members from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Labour Party (LP), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This emerging coalition aims to challenge the APC’s long-standing dominance in the 2027 presidential and gubernatorial elections.
A recent meeting between Aregbesola, the national secretary of the ADC, and Rhodes-Vivour, the former LP gubernatorial candidate, signaled a strategic alliance. Their collaboration is designed to mobilize grassroots support and unify opposition forces against the APC.
Both leaders are focusing on community-level engagement, with the goal of attracting disillusioned supporters from the APC and LP. Their ultimate ambition is to ensure that the next Governor of Lagos State is not an APC member—an effort that points to a broader political shift.
Their ongoing efforts resonate with growing sentiments among Lagosians, notably expressed by the De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, which has called for leadership that genuinely reflects the local population. Rhodes-Vivour, an indigene of Lagos Island, is increasingly seen as a voice for the cultural and developmental aspirations of the people.
Reports suggest that Rhodes-Vivour is on the verge of formally defecting to the ADC, amid an exodus of “Obidient” supporters from the LP. This expected move may further solidify the ADC’s position as a unifying force for the opposition.
Together, Aregbesola and Rhodes-Vivour are pushing to end the APC’s 28-year reign in Lagos. Their message is gaining traction among voters yearning for change.
A growing disenchantment with existing political structures has created fertile ground for the ADC’s message. Aregbesola envisions an ideologically driven ADC—contrasting it sharply with parties he describes as lacking coherent principles.
The ADC’s rapid rise is reportedly causing unease within the APC and the current administration of President Bola Tinubu. With notable figures from various parties—such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and several ex-governors—gravitating toward the ADC, Lagos politics is entering a new, volatile phase.
As the ADC continues to gain momentum and redefine its identity, the Lagos political landscape appears poised for a dramatic transformation.
The synergy between Aregbesola and Rhodes-Vivour—fueled by grassroots engagement and a renewed focus on local identity—positions the ADC as a formidable challenger in 2027. The outcome of this political realignment will be pivotal, not only for Lagos but for Nigeria’s wider political future.
