In a stunning political twist on Saturday, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dramatically shifting the opposition power balance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The announcement comes amid escalating tension in Lagos, where police blocked ADC’s planned welcome event—prompting Rhodes-Vivour to accuse the ruling APC of abusing state power to suppress dissent.

No Turning Back: “I Am Not Intimidated”

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Rhodes-Vivour declared his intentions boldly: “I will be declaring for the ADC coalition tomorrow. No amount of police intimidation, sealed venues, or harassment will stop this historic event. Lagos belongs to the people, and we will not be silenced.”

He lambasted the closure of an ADC-approved venue in Alimosho, Lagos, condemning it as a blatant assault on democracy and institutional weaponization.

Fusion of Forces: ADC Coalition Gathers Momentum

Rhodes-Vivour’s move injects fresh energy and credibility into the ADC’s emerging opposition coalition, which includes political heavyweights like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. ADC chairman George Ashiru portrayed the defection as more than symbolic: “This is not just one man joining — it’s the affirmation of a movement stepping up to challenge the APC’s stranglehold.”

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ADC representative Prof. Ola Olateju reinforced the narrative, calling the coalition “a movement, an exodus,” and urging Nigerians to see themselves in the fight for a collective future.

Tactical Defection

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s defection was more than tactical, it was symbolic. It underscores the growing hunger for unified alternative governance and the lengths the ruling coalition may go to silence dissent.

Whether this move heralds a new political dawn or ignites more confrontations remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the opposition is no longer invisible.