Labour Party’s 2023 Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (GRV), has strongly condemned the forceful takeover of the Lagos State House of Assembly, calling it a direct attack on democracy and the rule of law.
Expressing deep concern over the unfolding crisis, Rhodes-Vivour warned that such actions set a dangerous precedent where brute force overrides due process.
“What we are witnessing is a disturbing trend where power is being wielded with intimidation rather than accountability. The forceful seizure of the Assembly undermines the democratic institutions meant to serve the people,” he said.
GRV accused the ruling party of perpetuating a culture of thuggery and coercion instead of governance driven by ideas and public interest. According to him, the use of intimidation tactics has eroded trust in the system and weakened the democratic values Lagosians should uphold.
“For too long, Lagos politics has been dominated by threats rather than thoughtful leadership, by violence rather than vision. The ruling party has repeatedly prioritized force over fairness, ignoring the true will of the people,” he stated.
Rhodes-Vivour urged Lagosians to view the crisis as a wake-up call ahead of future elections, emphasizing the need to elect leaders based on character, competence, and compassion rather than party loyalty.
“The strength of our democracy is only as good as the quality of leaders we choose. Lagos deserves leadership that sees public office as a responsibility, not a tool for personal power,” he added.
With tensions high and concerns about governance integrity growing, GRV’s remarks amplify the call for a political culture shift in Lagos.
