Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour says he has learnt Yoruba and can now use the language to campaign ahead of the 2027 Lagos governorship election. The African Democratic Congress candidate said improving his fluency would help him communicate with more voters, but insisted that solving flooding, housing and traffic problems remained his main concern.
Rhodes-Vivour disclosed during an interview with Arise Television on Thursday, September 17, that he had employed a Yoruba teacher.
“Culture and language is very, very important, and I’ve gotten a Yoruba teacher, and I’ve learnt Yoruba,” he said.
He demonstrated his progress after one of the presenters greeted him in Yoruba. Rhodes-Vivour replied: “Mo ki gbogbo yin,” meaning “I greet all of you.”
The development addresses one of the issues raised against him during the 2023 Lagos governorship campaign, when his ability to speak Yoruba and his family background became subjects of political debate.
Yoruba fluency became an issue in 2023
Rhodes-Vivour was born into a family with Yoruba and Igbo heritage. His father is Yoruba, while his late mother was Igbo.
During an interview in March 2023, he said he could understand and speak Yoruba but was not fluent. He attributed this to his upbringing and the time he spent studying outside Nigeria.
His statement that he did not “think in Yoruba” was later used by political opponents who questioned his cultural connection to Lagos.
Supporters, including members of Afenifere and the Eko Forum, defended his Lagos ancestry. They argued that his mother’s ethnic background and his level of Yoruba fluency should not be used to deny his connection to the state.
Speaking in his latest interview, Rhodes-Vivour acknowledged the importance of culture and language but said the challenges facing Lagos affected residents regardless of their ethnicity.
He identified flooding, traffic congestion, poor housing and declining living conditions as problems shared by communities across the state.
The politician said his priority was to build a Lagos that worked for everyone rather than allow political debate to remain focused on identity.
Speaking Yoruba is not a constitutional requirement for anyone seeking to become Lagos governor. Candidates must meet the qualifications established by Nigerian electoral law, but they are not required to demonstrate fluency in any particular language.
However, language remains an important campaign tool. Politicians in Lagos regularly communicate in English, Yoruba and Nigerian Pidgin to reach the state’s diverse population.
Rhodes-Vivour prepares for another governorship race
Rhodes-Vivour contested the 2023 Lagos governorship election under the Labour Party. He finished second behind Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress.
Official results showed that Sanwo-Olu received 762,134 votes, while Rhodes-Vivour secured 312,329. Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, came third for the Peoples Democratic Party with 62,449 votes.
The result was challenged in court, but the Supreme Court eventually confirmed Sanwo-Olu’s re-election.
Rhodes-Vivour later left the Labour Party and joined the African Democratic Congress. He secured the ADC’s Lagos governorship ticket in May 2026 and is expected to challenge the APC again in 2027.
He has rejected suggestions that he might leave the ADC amid opposition defections, promising to remain in the party.
The candidate has also ruled out joining an alliance with President Bola Tinubu’s political camp. His campaign is expected to focus on living conditions, transport, housing, infrastructure and the management of public resources.
Learning Yoruba may help Rhodes-Vivour respond to questions about his cultural identity and connect with more residents. However, voters will also judge him on his policies, political alliances and ability to present a credible alternative to the APC government.
Lagos residents who intend to vote should confirm their registration details with the Independent National Electoral Commission and examine the programmes presented by every candidate before making a decision.
What readers should know: Rhodes-Vivour says he can now campaign in Yoruba after taking lessons, but fluency in the language is not a legal requirement for becoming Lagos governor. The development may strengthen his communication with voters, although the election is likely to be decided mainly by policies, party organisation, public confidence and the candidates’ records.
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