Rhodes-Vivour assures marginalised Lagos residents of better deal

Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (popularly known as GRV), has assured marginalised residents of sense of belonging if he wins the contest.

He acknowledged that Lagosians were desirous of a state that works for all, irrespective of ethnic and religious affiliations.

During a forum with editors in Lagos, at the weekend, Rhodes-Vivour said his diverse roots had helped him to “appreciate the strength of what joins” residents – be it Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa.

According to him, there are locals complaining of marginalisation and others who, through private enterprises, taxes and commitments, made Lagos what it is today.

He stressed that the needs of the various groups must be taken care of.

The LP standard-bearer has been subjected to social media scrutiny in the past two weeks by critics on genuineness of his intention.

But Rhodes-Vivour, who boasted that he has everything it takes to restore the glory of the state, dismissed the accusation, noting: “The fear of taking over Lagos is unfounded.”

With “a documented history that dates back to 200 years ago”, he said it was sad that people with questionable identities have raised issues about his true origin.

He insisted that Lagos would continue to thrive on its metropolitan nature.

“What I do know is that this group of Yoruba people only remembers that they are Yoruba during an election. When the herdsmen were coming through Oyo and killing people, they were all quiet apart from Sunday Igboho and Rotimi Akeredolu,” Rhodes-Vivour observed, arguing that both Yoruba, Igbo and other residents bear the brunt of poor leadership.

The purveyors of a divisive statement, he noted, are self-serving and only use Yoruba interest as a tool to justify their desire to continue to hold on to power.

“Where is their Yorubaness when they were stealing money?” he asked.

On his age, the flag-bearer insisted that leadership is “preparedness,” stating that his opponents were only “experienced in state capture and looting of public resources.”

According to him, the jinx of bad governance must be broken to pave way for accelerated development and restoration of the state.

Rhodes-Vivour dismissed speculations that there was a Supreme Court ruling against his candidature.