Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State has emerged winner of the party’s governorship primary election ahead of the 2027 polls.

According to The Nation, Rhodes-Vivour won against his closest rival, Silas, having scored 12,948 votes in the exercise that was held across the state.

In the contest, Silas received 6,183 votes.

The primary election was peaceful and transparent, with party stakeholders and supporters taking part, observers said.

Heavy turnout was recorded at the polling units in some parts of the state.

Rhodes-Vivour thanked party members and supporters for their support after he was declared winner.

The result was a victory for his political movement, he said.

“I want to thank every supporter sincerely who came out and voted en masse and rallied around this movement. “This victory is for all of us that believe in a better future,” he said.

The former governorship candidate also stated that the movement would continue to push for what he called accountable leadership and political transformation in Lagos State.

“The work has just begun. “Together, we will continue to build a movement that speaks to hope, progress and accountable leadership for our people,” he added.

Rhodes-Vivour dismissed the reports that he had lost the party’s ticket, and criticised what he described as “speculative narratives” in a follow-up reaction.

“I wish wishes were horses, I wish we could sit in our house and write results on Excel sheets and win elections,” he said in a statement on Monday.

The politician also hit back at critics who questioned his political strength, insisting that his support base remained intact despite efforts to undermine his victory.

Rhodes-Vivour quoted comedian Dave Chappelle: “When a hero falls, cowards rejoice. Nothing’s more satisfying to a coward than to see a brave guy go down.”

He also insisted that the political momentum in his camp was still strong.

“But sorry to disappoint, not today. “The people of Lagos know the name of their champion,” he said.

Rhodes-Vivour also said his supporters had started celebrations even before the official declaration as they were confident of victory.

“The landslide victory was so certain since Friday that we began celebrations. “Last night we were officially declared victors in a landslide victory,” he said.

He concluded by sharing optimism about the 2027 governorship election, saying his movement would continue to triumph in the face of the challenges.

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Political maneuvers are, as usual, taking center stage as preparations for the 2027 governorship elections get underway.

Following President Bola Tinubu’s order requiring political appointees with aspirations for electoral seats to quit by March 31 at the latest, activities in Lagos State are progressively gaining traction.

Increased political tension, consultations, and permutations have resulted from the directive throughout the state, with onlookers and party insiders speculating on potential zoning arrangements and potential candidates for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket.

According to political pundits, the Lagos East senatorial district is expected to receive the governorship ticket due to the party’s changing dynamics.

Some well-known local politicians have been compelled by the development to participate in early talks over the party’s ticket.

Akinwunmi Ambode, the former governor of Lagos State; Adetokunbo Abiru, the senator from Lagos East; Tunji Alausa, the minister of state for health; and Jimi Benson, a member of the House of Representatives, are among those who are regularly brought up in political circles.

Hakeem Muri Okunola, a lawyer and President Tinubu’s principal secretary, and Femi Gbajabiamila, a lawyer and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, are also being teased.

There are signs that Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, may play a significant role in the developing political permutations, despite party sources maintaining that consultations are still ongoing and that the party leadership has not yet made any official statement on zoning.

In a calculated power-sharing arrangement inside the party, there are rumors that he could represent Lagos West in the Senate.

Lagos West is working harder to be appointed deputy governor.

As part of a larger political balancing mechanism inside the state, political observers have suggested that the deputy governorship job may be assigned to Lagos West.

Intense lobbying has been sparked by the prospect along that axis, especially in the Badagry division and other political blocs in the district, where stakeholders are reportedly seriously discussing to guarantee the zone’s second-place ranking in the state.

Leaders and political stakeholders from the zone, according to party insiders, have increased their behind-the-scenes interactions within the APC structures, claiming that the state’s largest and most politically expansive senatorial district should have more representation in the state’s top executive leadership.

Major party blocs within the APC, such as the powerful Justice Forum and the Mandate political structures, which have both traditionally been crucial in the rise of deputy governors in the state, are said to have become involved in the agitation.

Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment Jumoke Oduwole, former Oriade Local Government chairman Ramota Hassan-Ijaiye, Lagos State Commissioner for Basic Education Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Chairman Prince Lanre Sanusi, and former Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Chairman Ayodele Adewale, also referred to as “Lord Mayor,” are among those being considered for the deputy governorship.

Samuel Ajose, often known as SMA, and Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adeniran are also referenced in the political discussions.

Prince Wale Oluwa, a technocrat whose name, according to party insiders, has been gaining traction in the ongoing debates within the party, has also been the focus of political conversations in Lagos West’s Badagry division.

According to reports, division stakeholders are stepping up their support for a candidate from the Badagry axis, claiming that the region has traditionally had a big impact on the party’s electoral results and should be strategically taken into account in the new political landscape.

Adeniran and Ajose may also be being considered for potential federal posts outside of the state, according to another school of thinking within the political elite.

Elements that are likely to influence final choices

Political observers have pointed out that a number of factors will probably affect the final selections for the gubernatorial and deputy governorship seats.

These include the ongoing discussion about the representation of indigenous people in the state’s political leadership, religious balancing, and generational issues.

From a religious perspective, it appears that certain interested parties are supporting a Muslim candidate to replace the current governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a Christian.

Furthermore, according to political observers, the issue of indigenous representation has come up again in recent political discussions, with some Lagos political blocs calling for more indigenous people to hold important leadership roles.

Lagos East may produce the governor, Lagos Central the deputy governor, and Lagos West the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, according to a different system that is gaining traction in political circles.

Analysts concur that more political alignments and realignments are likely to occur in the upcoming months as candidates and their supporters step up efforts to position themselves ahead of the APC’s eventual decision on zoning and candidate for the 2027 governorship race, as consultations continue across party structures and political camps.

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