By Seye Oladejo, Lagos APC Spokesman
September 15, 2026
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour appears to have revived a legal and political argument from the 2023 Lagos governorship election as the 2027 political contest gathers momentum.
His latest intervention questioning the eligibility of the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, over an alleged United States oath of allegiance is not a new issue. The matter was previously raised during litigation challenging the outcome of the 2023 Lagos governorship election.
There is, of course, nothing wrong with raising legitimate questions about the constitutional eligibility of a political candidate. Such questions are serious and should be determined strictly in accordance with the law.
What is curious, however, is the presentation of an allegation that featured in the 2023 litigation as though it were a fresh political discovery.
Rhodes-Vivour has himself acknowledged that the issue formed part of his legal team’s challenge in 2023. Reports from the proceedings also indicated that an immigration lawyer who testified concerning the alleged U.S. naturalisation process told the tribunal that her expertise was in U.S. immigration law and that she was not familiar with Nigeria’s constitutional provisions relating to dual citizenship.
That distinction is important.
An allegation is not a judgment, and testimony concerning the operation of foreign immigration law does not, by itself, amount to a judicial determination that a Nigerian citizen is constitutionally disqualified from seeking elective office.
If Rhodes-Vivour believes he has uncovered a fresh and legally decisive fact concerning Dr. Hamzat’s eligibility, the appropriate avenue for determining the matter remains the courts and other competent constitutional authorities, rather than political interviews.
Repeating an allegation does not, in itself, transform it into a legal determination.
More importantly, the development raises a broader question about the direction of the 2027 political conversation.
Why should Lagosians remain focused on the disputes of 2023 when the state is preparing for another election?
The people of Lagos deserve a substantive debate about the future. They deserve to hear how the various candidates intend to address transportation, housing, infrastructure, employment, healthcare, education, security and environmental management, as well as the broader challenges associated with governing Nigeria’s economic nerve centre.
They deserve clearly articulated policy alternatives, measurable programmes and credible explanations of how campaign promises would be financed and implemented.
The 2027 election should therefore provide an opportunity for candidates to present their respective visions and programmes rather than simply revisit the controversies of a previous election.
If there is a genuine constitutional question concerning Dr. Hamzat’s eligibility, the APC maintains that the appropriate legal institutions should examine it and make the necessary determination.
The APC has no objection to legitimate scrutiny of its candidate.
But political assertions should not be presented as substitutes for evidence, just as allegations should not be treated as judicial pronouncements.
Rhodes-Vivour is now seeking the mandate of Lagos voters under a new political platform. That gives voters a legitimate reason to ask not only what he believes is wrong with the APC candidate, but also what he proposes to do differently.
What is his alternative vision for Lagos?
What are his economic policies?
What is his transportation strategy?
How does he intend to create jobs, expand infrastructure, improve housing and sustain the development of the state?
Those are questions that every candidate seeking to govern Lagos should be prepared to answer.
The APC will present its own record, policies and plans to Lagosians and allow the electorate to consider the competing positions.
The 2027 election is a new contest, and the issues before Lagosians should reflect the challenges and opportunities of the years ahead.
If Rhodes-Vivour has a legal case, the law can determine it.
If he has a political case, Lagosians deserve to hear it.
But the central question of the 2027 election should ultimately be forward-looking:
What is your plan for Lagos in 2027?
That is the debate Lagos deserves.
