OPPOSITION UNITY ADVANCES AS RHODES-VIVOUR MEETS AREGBESOLA UNDER ADC PLATFORM

Meanwhile, in what appears to be a significant moment in Nigeria’s evolving opposition landscape, former Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, met with Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun State governor and the new National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), on Tuesday July 8th.
The meeting, which Rhodes-Vivour described as strategic and purposeful, was disclosed via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, where he stated: “Had a great meeting earlier today with Engr. Rauf Aregbesola. 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.”
The handshake, now symbolic of shifting political allegiances, marks Rhodes-Vivour’s growing alignment with the opposition coalition taking shape under the ADC—a coalition that now includes some of Nigeria’s most influential political figures from across party lines.
The ADC, now functioning as the unifying political platform for the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections, has seen high-level engagement from leaders such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate Datti Baba-Ahmed; interim ADC Chairman and former Senate President David Mark; former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun; and several former governors including Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Gabriel Suswam, Jibrilla Bindo, Emeka Ihedioha, Aminu Tambuwal, Liyel Imoke, and Abdulfatah Ahmed.
Also involved are notable political figures such as former SGF Babachir Lawal, former Buhari aide Lauretta Onochie, Senators Ireti Kingibe, Victor Umeh, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and PDP elder statesman Aminu Wali, along with former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus.
Rhodes-Vivour’s outreach to Aregbesola adds a new dimension to the opposition’s quest for unity, especially in the southwest geopolitical zone, where the APC has historically held strong sway. With Aregbesola’s credibility among progressives and Rhodes-Vivour’s popularity among younger voters and urban Lagosians, the handshake has stirred considerable political interest.
As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 elections, the growing strength of the ADC-backed coalition is emerging as a formidable counterweight to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with many now watching closely to see whether the opposition can maintain its unity and translate momentum into electoral gains.