The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has opened up on the reason he lost to the incumbent governor of the state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Speaking in a post on 𝕏 on Monday, he stated that his most significant obstacle was voter suppression and intimidation.

He lamented that violence has become a norm in the state and is now challenging to overcome.

According to him, “When you have normalised violence against a group of people, eventually that violence should meet you. You look at what happened in the State Assembly, where a majority, more than 90% of them, decided that they wanted someone else to speak on their behalf, to represent them, and they went through the entire process.

“They voted, they stood their ground, despite intimidation, despite the force that was used against them. But you see how that same similar force was used to cut short the will of the people in the State Assembly.

“So it’s a culture of violence, and intimidation and voter suppression and I think that the main obstacle for me in 2023 elections.”

Meanwhile, Rhodes-Vivour has met with the newly appointed National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola.

Naijaonpoint reports that this was disclosed in a post on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday by Rhodes-Vivour.

The former gubernatorial candidate stated that the mission of the coalition forming around the ADC is clear.

He wrote: “Had a great meeting earlier today with Engr Rauf Aregbesola @raufaregbesola. The mission is clear and the commitment unwavering.

“More importantly, we shook hands. A new Nigeria, and a Lagos that works for everyone is possible.”

Recall that former Senate President David Mark emerged as the new National Chairman and Aregbesola as National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The adoption of the ADC by the opposition coalition had in attendance prominent figures across party lines. Among those present were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Datti Baba-Ahmed, former Senate President David Mark, former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and former Attorney General Abubakar Malami.

Also in attendance were factional Labour Party chairperson Esther Usman, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, former Adamawa State Governor Jibrilla Bindo, former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, and former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

Others included PDP elder statesman Aminu Wali, former Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Victor Umeh, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, former Buhari aide Lauretta Onochie, Senator Ireti Kingibe, and former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus.