Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, has declared that the 2027 general elections will be decided at the ballot box rather than in the courts.

Rhodes-Vivour made the assertion in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government for what he described as excessive politicking in the face of deepening economic hardship confronting Nigerians.

He said the level of suffering experienced by citizens over the past year should ordinarily compel any responsible government to prioritise governance and economic relief instead of political manoeuvring.

“Dear Nigerians, the stage is set. The hardship that the majority of Nigerians have faced this year should normally be enough for any right-thinking government to focus on governance rather than politicking. Instead, they are hell-bent on taking even more from the people,” he wrote.

Describing the situation as unacceptable, Rhodes-Vivour said the time had come for what he termed “clueless and self-serving politicians” to vacate public office.

He called on opposition forces to close ranks ahead of the 2027 polls, warning that they were up against a formidable political structure and must therefore adopt a united and strategic approach.

“I urge all members of the coalition to unite. We are up against a formidable force and we must work very hard and leave nothing to chance,” he said.
Rhodes-Vivour further cautioned against reliance on post-election litigation, stressing that victory must be secured on election day.

“Whatever must and will happen on election day must happen. Nobody is listening to ‘go to court’ anymore,” he added.

His remarks came in the wake of the defection of former Anambra State Governor and ex-Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, to the ADC.

Obi formally joined the ADC on Wednesday, a development seen as part of ongoing coalition-building efforts by opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections, amid rising cost-of-living pressures and public discontent over President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.