Lagos 2027: APC Spokesman Challenges Rhodes-Vivour to Present Policy Agenda, Dismisses 2023 Eligibility Argument
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, to shift the focus of his 2027 campaign from past litigation to concrete policy proposals for the state.
The Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, made the call in a statement dated September 15, 2026, while responding to Rhodes-Vivour’s recent questioning of the eligibility of the APC’s 2027 governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, over an alleged United States oath of allegiance.
Oladejo described the issue as a revival of an argument that had previously featured in the legal challenge to the 2023 Lagos governorship election.
He acknowledged that questions surrounding the constitutional eligibility of political candidates were legitimate matters that could be subjected to judicial scrutiny, but argued that an allegation or testimony did not, on its own, amount to a judicial determination of disqualification.
According to him, Rhodes-Vivour had previously acknowledged that the issue formed part of his legal team’s challenge in 2023.
Oladejo also referred to reports concerning testimony by an immigration lawyer who discussed the alleged United States naturalisation process, noting that the lawyer reportedly told the tribunal that her expertise was in United States immigration law and that she was not familiar with Nigeria’s constitutional provisions on dual citizenship.
The APC spokesman said the distinction was important in determining the legal weight of such testimony.
“An allegation is not a judgment. A testimony about the operation of foreign immigration law is not, by itself, a judicial declaration that a Nigerian is constitutionally disqualified from seeking elective office,” he said.
Oladejo urged Rhodes-Vivour to take any fresh constitutional claim before the appropriate legal institutions rather than relying primarily on political interviews.
He said the APC was not opposed to legitimate scrutiny of its candidate and maintained that the relevant facts and applicable law should be presented to competent authorities for determination.
“The APC’s position is straightforward: bring the facts, bring the law, and let the competent authorities pronounce,” he stated.
Turning to the 2027 election campaign, Oladejo questioned the emphasis on the 2023 election dispute, arguing that Lagos voters should be presented with competing plans for the future of the state.
He said the electorate deserved to hear detailed proposals on transportation, housing, infrastructure, employment, healthcare, education, security and environmental management, among other issues.
According to him, opposition candidates should also explain how they intend to finance their campaign promises and translate their proposed programmes into practical governance.
“Lagosians deserve to hear competing visions for the next four years. They deserve policy alternatives. They deserve measurable programmes,” Oladejo said.
He further challenged Rhodes-Vivour to explain what he would do differently if elected, rather than focusing predominantly on criticisms of the APC candidate.
Oladejo said the forthcoming election should provide an opportunity for candidates to present their economic blueprints, transportation strategies, employment plans, housing policies and infrastructure programmes to the electorate.
“Politics cannot permanently be an exercise in opposition to another person. At some point, an aspiring leader must tell the electorate what he stands for, not merely what he stands against,” he said.
The APC spokesman said his party was prepared to participate in a policy-driven campaign and urged Rhodes-Vivour to present his proposals for Lagos.
He added that the ultimate decision would rest with Lagos voters, stressing that the 2027 election should be focused on the future of the state rather than continued arguments over the 2023 contest.
“2027 is not 2023. The future of Lagos cannot be built by endlessly litigating the past,” Oladejo said.
He concluded by urging Rhodes-Vivour to allow the law to determine any constitutional case concerning Hamzat’s eligibility while presenting his own political programme to Lagosians.
“If Rhodes-Vivour has a legal case, let the law speak. If he has a political case, let Lagosians hear it,” he said.
No comments