The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour to demonstrate a broader understanding of Lagos beyond his efforts to learn the Yoruba language ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election.
The response from the ruling party followed Rhodes-Vivour’s revelation during an appearance on Arise Television that he had hired a Yoruba teacher to enable him to campaign in the indigenous language.
While acknowledging the cultural significance of language, Rhodes-Vivour maintained that his primary focus remains addressing systemic governance challenges across the state.
Lagos APC Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo acknowledged the ADC candidate’s language studies but questioned whether speaking Yoruba was sufficient to grasp the complexities of governing 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, cautioned against viewing the issue from an ethnic perspective, noting that Lagos was a cosmopolitan state inhabited by people from different parts of Nigeria.
According to him, language could serve as a gateway to understanding a people because it carries elements of history, values, traditions and ways of seeing the world.
He consequently urged Rhodes-Vivour to complement his Yoruba lessons with what he described as “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.”
The APC spokesman criticized Rhodes-Vivour’s remarks regarding the ruling party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, arguing that political critiques could not erase Hamzat’s public service record, which includes serving 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