Lagos Belongs to All of Us – Rhodes Vivour Reacts as Police Seal ADC Meeting Venue
Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour lashes out at Lagos police for sealing off Lion Field an ADC approved venue in Alimosho calling it an undemocratic move by the APC to stifle opposition voices in the state .
A Birthplace of Controversy Lion Field in Alimosho Sealed
Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour the Labour Party 2023 gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State has condemned the sealing of Lion Field in Alimosho by the police The field had been cleared for a meeting organized by the African Democratic Congress ADC scheduled for Saturday The gathering was designed to introduce party members and supporters and also to welcome Rhodes Vivour and former presidential candidate Peter Obi into the ADC .
Eyewitnesses said the field was taken over by more than 80 armed policemen along with an armored personnel carrier The sudden presence of heavy security prevented entry and sparked outrage Organizers described the action as abrupt and without justification since all approvals had been obtained .
Also Read : Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup Hopes Reignite Amid Slips by Rival Second Place Teams
Legal Doors Closed Without Explanation
The ADC planning committee explained that notifications were submitted days before the event Both the local area command and Gowon Estate Police Station were informed with acknowledgments sent to the Commissioner of Police The committee added that verbal clearance was also granted by the Area M Command .
Despite this assurance the police blocked the field When Rhodes Vivour and his team demanded answers the Area Commander said they were acting on orders from above and told them to meet the Commissioner of Police After waiting for two hours in Ikeja Rhodes Vivour stated that the commissioner never came out and did not respond to calls or messages .
A Blow to Democratic Rights
Rhodes Vivour described the intervention as a direct assault on democracy and an attempt to silence opposition voices in Lagos He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress APC of using state institutions to suppress dissent He said it was disappointing that the Lagos APC would resort to sealing off a venue already cleared for use .
Lagos Belongs to All of Us
Rhodes Vivour stressed that Lagos does not belong to a privileged few He reminded citizens that it is their constitutional right to gather and express themselves He declared that Lagos belongs to all of us not to a small circle of political elites .
He added that no intimidation will stop his movement from engaging with the people of Lagos According to him their campaign is powered by the people and no barricade or display of force will break their resolve for a better Lagos .
Planning Committee Speaks Out
The ADC planning team echoed Rhodes Vivours position They confirmed that all documents were submitted and acknowledged by the police Yet despite following due process the venue was sealed off The committee described the closure as a betrayal of democratic values and said it raised deep questions about tolerance in Lagos politics .
No Official Response Yet
As at the time of reporting neither the Lagos Police Command nor the APC had released an explanation for sealing off the venue The silence has attracted further criticism with political observers calling the action an effort to frustrate the rising popularity of the ADC in the state .
Political Defiance Amid Pressure
Rhodes Vivour spoke defiantly in the face of pressure His comments came as the ADC builds momentum ahead of the 2027 elections The party has been drawing figures such as Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who are working to strengthen opposition unity against the APC .
He reaffirmed his decision to formally join the ADC and to continue meeting Lagos residents despite what he called state sponsored intimidation He insisted that this is only the beginning and pledged that the movement will not be silenced .