Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party's former governorship candidate in Lagos, has issued a stark warning to President Bola Tinubu, suggesting that the President's perceived disregard for Lagos residents could cost him the state in the 2027 general elections. In a recent discussion with journalists, Rhodes-Vivour specifically criticized the significant disruption and hardship faced by Lagosians during presidential visits, likening the inconvenience to the colonial era.
He argued that it is unacceptable for thousands of citizens to endure "agonizing stress and chaos" every time the President is in town, asserting that such behavior reflects an attitude of a "conquistador" rather than a public servant. Rhodes-Vivour drew parallels with major international cities like Paris and London, where he noted that leaders navigate public spaces without disrupting daily life, allowing citizens to carry on unhindered.
The former gubernatorial candidate contended that this display of power and elitism was precisely why Tinubu lost Lagos in the 2023 elections, and he predicted a repeat outcome in 2027 if the current approach persists. He accused the President of ignoring the widespread pain and frustration caused by his visits, highlighting how blocked roads and heavy security force many to miss crucial appointments and events.
Rhodes-Vivour emphasized that leaders are meant to serve the populace, not inconvenience them, and cautioned that Lagos voters would remember their suffering at the ballot box. He urged the President to prioritize public interest over personal pride, stressing that Lagosians deserve respect and should not be treated as "lesser citizens" in their own city. He concluded by stating, “This obsession with being the ‘big man,’ viewing citizens as subjects who are beneath and should be trampled on, is the reason you lost in 2023 and is the reason you will lose again in 2027.”
