Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Lagos State, said he does not need perfect Yoruba fluency to preserve and protect the state’s indigenous culture.
Addressing recent public reactions following his appearance at the Independence Day edition of The Platform on October 1, Rhodes-Vivour clarified his stance in a newly released video.
During the event, an attendee asked how he intended to preserve Yoruba culture, tradition, and language in Lagos, prompting calls from a section of the audience for him to respond in Yoruba rather than English.
Clarifying his remarks, Rhodes-Vivour said his challenge is simply fluency, noting that he processes his thoughts in English before translating them into other languages.
He emphasized that his primary focus as a candidate remains effective governance, which can drive cultural preservation through intentional state policies.
“My business is governance. I don’t have to speak perfect Yoruba to preserve and protect the indigenous culture of Lagos,” Rhodes-Vivour stated.
He reiterated that he has never denied Lagos’s Yoruba identity, acknowledging the role of indigenous groups in shaping the city’s heritage.
“I have consistently said the opposite. Lagos is Yoruba land with indigenous people like the Aworis and the Eguns contributing to creating the welcoming cosmopolitan Lagos that we know and love,” he said.
Outlining his broader vision for the state, Rhodes-Vivour described an inclusive approach to development that honors history alongside progress. He envisioned “a city where heritage is remembered, culture is respected, and people from different backgrounds build one future together.”
Beyond cultural preservation, the ADC candidate addressed key developmental challenges facing the state, criticizing the current administration’s handling of infrastructure, housing, flooding, and waste management.
He pledged to implement policy reforms, including delivering 100,000 affordable housing units, expanding the rail system within two years, and decentralizing waste management to involve local governments in building a waste-to-wealth value chain.
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