Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, endorsed Lagos State Labour Party governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour on Wednesday.
Supo Shonibare, the chairman of the group in the state, said Rhodes-Vivour would make a significant difference if elected as the state’s next governor.
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Shonibare stated at a press conference in Lagos that the party’s victory in the recent presidential election was a vindication of Afenifere’s principled position on the need for equity, inclusiveness, fairness, and justice.
He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the process of voting and uploading results through the BVAS is smooth and real-time during the March 11 governorship election.
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“Afenifere enjoins all men and women of goodwill to vote for Architect Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour – a scion of the illustrious Rhodes-Vivour family of Lagos whose family ancestry and pivotal contribution to the affairs of Lagos dates back to five generations,” he said.
“Gbadebo is certain to make a significant difference in the unfortunate current state of brigandage, opportunism, impunity, and prebendary. He will restore Lagos’ beloved values encapsulated in the Omoluabi ethic of fellow feeling, dignity, and nobility of spirit.
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“All candidates of the Labour Party for the Lagos State House of Assembly constituencies are noted to be natural workmates of the Gbadebo governorship. They, too, deserve our consideration and votes. This synergy’s teamwork will ensure a result-oriented administration and put an end to Lagos State’s many years of ineffective governance.”
Shonibare also urged local and international observers, as well as voters, to keep a close eye on the behaviour of security agencies and, where possible, capture infractions wherever they occur.
He urged Lagos residents, however, to disregard the false narrative of taking over Lagos, emphasising that Lagos is not a no-land, man’s but rather a Yoruba territory.
“We implore Lagos residents to ignore provocative posts on social media, many of which are enabled by agent provocateurs and aimed at fanning the embers of disunity among peace-loving residents and pitting Yorubas against Igbos,” he said. Igbos voted for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Southeast states, while many Yorubas voted for Mr Peter Obi in Lagos and other states in the Southwest.
“Sitting here with us are members of the Committee of Indigenes of Lagos State who are supporting the Rhode- Vivour and Princess Oyefusi Governor and Deputy Governorship bid. Mr Rhodes-Vivour Senior, the candidate’s father, is also present. We implore Lagosians to disregard the false, virulent, and desperate attacks on Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-person Vivour’s and the false narrative of Igbo taking over Lagos. Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour is a Yoruba, and his great-grandfather was one of the indigenous founders of post-colonial Lagos. Lagos is not a wasteland. It’s Yoruba country.”
Shonibare added that Mr Rhodes-government Vivour’s would be made up of indigenous Lagosians, as well as ensuring that all ethnic groups and foreigners living in Lagos are given their basic rights so that they can all contribute to the city’s continued growth as the fifth largest economy in Africa.
