Lagos APC tells ADC candidate Rhodes-Vivour that learning Yoruba alone is insufficient for 2027 governorship bid

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour to show a deeper grasp of Lagos that goes beyond his attempt to learn Yoruba before the 2027 gubernatorial election. The ruling party's reaction came after Rhodes-Vivour said on Arise Television that he had employed a Yoruba instructor to help him campaign in the local language. While he recognized the cultural value of language, Rhodes-Vivour said his main priority is still tackling systemic governance problems throughout the state. Lagos APC Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo acknowledged the ADC candidate's language lessons but asked whether speaking Yoruba alone could equip him to understand the complexities of running the state. “There is nothing wrong with learning the language of the people one seeks to govern. Indeed, it is commendable. But it does raise one rather obvious and curious question: If a man aspiring to govern Lagos is only now taking lessons in the language, how deeply has he engaged with the culture, worldview, history, traditions and everyday aspirations of the people he seeks to lead?” The APC spokesman, however, warned against seeing the matter through an ethnic lens, pointing out that Lagos is a cosmopolitan state with residents from various parts of Nigeria. He said language can act as a gateway to understanding a people because it embodies history, values, traditions, and ways of viewing the world. He then advised Rhodes-Vivour to pair his Yoruba lessons with what he called “Understanding Lagos 101” and “Thinking in Yoruba”. “Language is one of the gateways to understanding people. It carries history, humour, values, idioms, traditions and ways of seeing the world.” Oladejo also criticized Rhodes-Vivour's comments about the ruling party's governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, saying political criticism could not wipe out Hamzat's public service record, which includes roles as commissioner and deputy governor. “Rhodes-Vivour may argue that the administration has not done enough. He may identify areas where he believes Hamzat’s record should have been better. That is politics. But to suggest that experience has no value simply because Lagos still has challenges is a rather curious argument,” Oladejo stated. “Lagos is not a village road network. It is one of Africa’s largest urban and economic entres, with enormous population pressure, intense commercial activity and rapidly expanding transportation demands,” “Lagos is not governed by Instagram posts, television appearances or campaign slogans. 2027 is not an audition for television. It is a conversation about the future of Lagos,” Oladejo added.