Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, former LP governorship candidate in Lagos State, has taken a swipe at Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over the persistent foul smell in parts of Lagos, urging the governor to focus on proffering solutions rather than responding with anger or insults.
Speaking during an interview on The TRSH Podcast, Rhodes-Vivour said leaders must rise above defensiveness and engage constructively when the public expresses dissatisfaction.
“Why do you have to be angry and insult people when they tell you Lagos smells instead of offering solutions?” he asked. “They always turn the problem back on the people. If you want to turn the problem back then don’t be a leader — sit with the people.”
The comment comes amid growing concerns over environmental hygiene, blocked drainage, and the resulting stench across the state — especially during the rainy season.
Rhodes-Vivour went further to describe the state’s leadership as being built on a structure that serves the interests of a select few.
“The APC structure exists for one thing and one thing alone — to create and normalize a system that milks the commonwealth of Lagos State solely for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his family and his cronies,” he alleged. “The only thing similar is the organised mafia.”
He also challenged the popular notion of “grassroots politics,” emphasizing that true grassroots engagement goes beyond socioeconomic assumptions.
“When people think grassroots, there’s a misconception that it’s the illiterate, uneducated and poor, which is a mistake. There’s grassroots in V.I., Ikoyi… think of grassroots as the people closest to that polling unit.”
On youth development, the former candidate expressed concern about the alleged intentional drug circulation in some communities to destabilize young people and use them for political gains.
“There’s a deliberate attempt to get our youths on drugs so they can be useful tools for the political elites, and that needs to be questioned and challenged,” he stated. “Places like Saraki Aro, Ikeja under bridge — people send drugs into these communities. It’s like impoverishing your populace.”
Rhodes-Vivour also criticized the current political elite for their obsession with experience in corrupt systems, insisting he would rather emulate leaders with integrity.
“I remember when people said Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour does not have experience, and I asked — which government? The government of illegality, looting and stealing? I would want to have experience in a government like that of late Alhaji Lateef Jakande.”
He praised former presidential candidate Peter Obi for his simplicity and rejection of unnecessary campaign spending, revealing that Obi once turned down a multimillion-naira media campaign offer.
“Anywhere I go, I take pictures with people that want to identify with me — those are my banners and posters,” he quoted Obi as saying.
Concluding, Rhodes-Vivour warned that future elections must not be marred by electoral fraud, suggesting there would be consequences for vote stealing.
“The Gbadebo of 2025 is not the same as 2022/2023 and I believe I can speak for H.E Peter Obi too. There will be consequences for stealing votes in the next Nigerian election. You won’t steal votes and carry on with your lives.”
His remarks come as political temperatures begin to rise ahead of the 2027 general elections, with citizens increasingly calling for accountable leadership and improved public services.
