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Former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, on Saturday formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), joining forces with an opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The defection, initially scheduled to take place at Lion Field in Ipaja, Alimosho Local Government Area, was disrupted when police operatives sealed off the venue, citing lack of clearance from the state command. Rhodes-Vivour, who said due notice had been given to security authorities, accused the police and suspected loyalists of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to frustrate the event.

“This was not a rally but a political meeting, which we have constitutional rights to hold,” Rhodes-Vivour told journalists. “We will engage with the Commissioner of Police to understand whether his men are here to protect or to intimidate.”

The development mirrored similar disruptions earlier in the week in Kaduna, where former Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s planned ADC coalition meeting was attacked by suspected thugs.

Undeterred, Rhodes-Vivour and his supporters relocated to an alternative venue where the declaration held, attended by representatives of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, both of whom are in talks with the ADC coalition.

In his address, Rhodes-Vivour said his defection was driven by the need for opposition unity ahead of 2027.

“We cannot afford to divide the opposition going into the next election. This coalition is meant to rescue Nigeria from those who have replaced governance with intimidation and violence,” he declared.

ADC Lagos chairman, George Ashiru, welcomed Rhodes-Vivour, describing the move as part of a long-term coalition effort to unseat the APC.

“What we are affirming today is not just an individual but a movement that shook Lagos in 2023,” Ashiru said. “The opposition must now consolidate if Nigeria is to be rescued.”

Representatives of Atiku and Obi also pledged support for the coalition. Professor Ola Olateju, who stood in for Atiku, described ADC as “a movement of equal opportunity,” while former Delta State Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, Deacon Ken Pela, who represented Obi, urged supporters of the Obidient Movement to remain steadfast, saying the 2023 elections were only “a test run” for 2027.

Rhodes-Vivour’s defection adds weight to ADC’s coalition push, which seeks to merge opposition blocs under a common platform ahead of the next electoral cycle.