LAGOS, Nigeria — A prominent figure within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has asserted that the current president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, faces an impossible road to a second term in the scheduled 2027 general elections. Rhodes-Vivour, who previously contested the governorship of Lagos State under the Labour Party in 2023, shared these views during an appearance on the news program Politics Today on Channels Television on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Rhodes-Vivour informed viewers that his conclusions are based on recent and credible polling data. He suggested that the presidency is aware of these declining numbers, which he claims has led to political maneuvering within the country. During the broadcast, he stated, “I have looked at data, we have polling that is going on now, credible polling—there is no pathway for the president to emerge victorious, that is why we are seeing all these shenanigans.”
The politician specifically highlighted a shift in the political landscape of northern Nigeria, a region that played a vital role in the president’s 2023 victory. Okay News reports that Rhodes-Vivour pointed to a “tsunami” of changing sentiment in the North, a region he noted provided the president with 62 percent of his total votes in the previous election cycle. He argued that this traditional support base has weakened significantly under the current administration.
Further criticizing the federal government of Nigeria, Rhodes-Vivour alleged that the administration is exclusive rather than representative. He described the leadership as a “city boys’ government,” claiming that appointments and influence have been restricted to a small circle of the president’s associates rather than reflecting the broader interests of the South-West region or the nation at large. He remarked, “It is a city boys’ government. It’s not even a proper South-West government; it’s his cronies that are just in charge.”
The ADC chieftain also linked internal leadership disputes within opposition parties to a broader strategy by the ruling party to consolidate power. He suggested that the administration is attempting to weaken the opposition so that the president faces no viable challengers in 2027. “So, the best pathway is to create an environment where he is the only candidate on the ballot for the presidency. That is what he is trying to achieve, but he is not going to succeed,” he stated.
These comments follow recent actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the body responsible for managing elections in Nigeria. The commission recently removed David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as the national chairman and secretary of the African Democratic Congress, respectively, citing a court order. This move sparked a protest at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, the capital city, led by major opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.
