Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, has said he has learned Yoruba and intends to campaign in the language ahead of the 2027 election.

Rhodes-Vivour disclosed this during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, explaining that he had engaged a Yoruba teacher to improve his proficiency in the language.

He said language and culture were important to his engagement with Lagos residents, while stressing that his campaign would also focus on issues affecting residents across ethnic and cultural backgrounds. (The Pledge)

“Culture and language is very, very important, and I’ve gotten a Yoruba teacher, and I’ve learned Yoruba, and I can campaign in Yoruba, and that is wonderful,” he said.

During the interview, Rhodes-Vivour also responded in Yoruba after one of the presenters greeted him in the language.

He replied, “Mo ki gbogbo yin,” meaning “I greet all of you.”

The ADC candidate identified flooding, the housing crisis and traffic congestion among the challenges facing Lagos residents, saying their effects cut across ethnic backgrounds.

“My passionate interest is to ensure that we have a Lagos that no longer stinks,” he said.

Rhodes-Vivour’s comments come after language became a subject of debate during his campaign for the Lagos governorship in 2023.

At the time, he acknowledged in an interview with Channels Television that he understood and could speak Yoruba but was not fluent. He attributed this to his upbringing and education, including periods spent outside Nigeria.

His statement that he did not “think in Yoruba” subsequently drew criticism during the campaign. He later said he had hired a Yoruba teacher and was working to improve his fluency so he could connect more effectively with Lagos residents.

Rhodes-Vivour, whose father is Yoruba and mother is Igbo, contested the 2023 Lagos governorship election on the Labour Party platform. He finished second behind All Progressives Congress candidate Babajide Sanwo-Olu, according to the reported election results. (QED)

He is now seeking the Lagos governorship ticket of the ADC ahead of the 2027 election.