PIUS ADE BABALEYE (PAB)
Recently, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Declared:
“I intend to become the governor of Lagos in 2027. My confidence is in the people. The people showed their strength in 2023. We’ve built networks in communities and learnt from our mistakes.”
While his confidence is admirable, the critical question remains: what tangible contributions has he made to the communities he claims as his political wards? Politics is not won on social media likes, retweets, or online debates — it is built on visible service, grassroots engagement, and genuine popularity within the people’s everyday lives.
*Taking Anifowoshe Community as a case study:*
Can Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour point to a single developmental project, empowerment scheme, or meaningful intervention he has carried out here?
How well-known is he among the residents, beyond political posters and digital appearances?
*The reality is clear*: if he were to contest ten times, he would struggle to win his ward because his strength lies more in online visibility than in real-life grassroots influence. Popularity on social media does not always translate to votes in polling units.
For a man seeking to govern Lagos — the most complex state in Nigeria with its rich diversity and vibrant communities — the people demand more than lofty statements. They want evidence of past service, a track record of community impact, and a leader who understands their needs beyond campaign seasons.
If Gbadebo truly hopes to govern Lagos in 2027, he must first bridge the wide gap between virtual influence and physical presence in communities like Anifowoshe and beyond. Lagosians are watching, and they will judge not by words but by deeds.