Winning Elections vs Gaining The People’s Trust Ft. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, a governorship candidate of Lagos, representing the Labour Party was quizzed by our Host, Oshodi-Tapa. The show kicked off with Gbadebo being interested in knowing why it’s winning elections versus the people’s trust because in an election you need the people’s vote, he further stated that a politician must have the trust of the people already, or have an antecedent that can be used to measure one’s capability. He mentions gaining the people’s trust is about sharing the vision you have for the people and the consistency in the message you are passing. He relates this with the “Obidient” phenomenon which is taking over Nigeria.

Mr. Rhodes explained that running for senate in a systematic senatorial district doesn’t prepare you well enough to become a governor, albeit, he insisted that running for senate for Lagos-West which comprises ten local governments is bigger than some states in Nigeria, population-wise. He understood the issues people genuinely deal with in his senatorial district, the absence of some infrastructures, and he was exposed and human interaction to what the people of Lagos need. When asked about the power bloc by the host, he insisted that the election had nothing to do with the power bloc, Mr. Rhodes further ascertains the fact that if they had good dividends of governance, there would be no need to rig elections, and they also take advantage of voter apathy. Mr. Rhodes gave a valid point about the caliber of politicians who are out campaigning are not competent enough, and the competent politicians are not making their voices heard enough, also stating that the leaders are a reflection of the people that take politics seriously.

Mr. Rhodes made it clear that the new wave of competent politicians such AS himself are redefining voter dynamics and demography. When asked by Oshodi-Tapa if the people understand and want good governance, Mr. Rhodes gave a response that was very insightful, he said the people want good governance, but they have not been inspired enough to be bothered to get their permanent voters cards, but all of that has changed. He claims the people who have dignity in labour are the custodians of democracy because they do not vote with their stomachs, they vote with their minds and an idea of what the future should be. He enlightens his listeners with the fact that any political office holder who gets into power through vote buying and electoral fraud has no interest in serving the people, rather he will think of himself as an emperor who cannot serve the people.