Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, has condemned what he called attempts to limit decisions on the state’s leadership to a select group of individuals.
Rhodes-Vivour made the remarks in a post on X on Tuesday while reacting to a viral report alleging that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had been asked to resign over health concerns — a claim already dismissed by the Lagos State Government.
“The APC, and particularly Mr President, are mistaken to believe they have stripped Lagosians of agency.
“That who becomes governor or when to remove the said governor is reduced to the feelings or hallucinations of one man and a gang of kleptocrats is insulting to many and must no longer be tolerated,” he wrote.
He maintained that only residents of Lagos State should decide who governs them, insisting that political authority must not be controlled by a few individuals.
“Only the people of Lagos can and must determine those who will lead them. Only them also reserve the right to decide when they are fed up with who governs the state,” he added.
Rhodes-Vivour also described Lagos as “bigger than the whims of one man,” urging voters to support accountable leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
“In 2027 we must permanently end this babasọpe criminality and elect a governor that is accountable and beholden to the people of Lagos. It is time to restore #OurLagos in the interest of all Lagosians,” he said.
His comments came after the Lagos State Government denied reports claiming Babajide Sanwo-Olu had been directed to step down due to health issues.
In a statement released by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the government described the report as false and misleading.
“We have noted with concern a false report… alleging that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been ‘ordered to resign on health grounds’ with the Deputy Governor set to take over,” the statement read.
“This report is false in its entirety. Nobody has asked the Lagos Governor to resign… Governor Sanwo-Olu remains in good health, of sound mind, and is actively discharging his duties.”
The government also disclosed that the governor recently met with his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, who formally informed him of his intention to contest the governorship position.
Officials urged the public to ignore the viral claims, describing them as fake news.
