Rhodes-Vivour Accuses NURTW of Orchestrated Attacks on Opposition in Lagos

2023 Labour Party Governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has raised alarm over what he described as coordinated acts of violence targeted at opposition voices in Lagos State, allegedly sanctioned by the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

In a statement shared on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour accused the NURTW of instructing its members to “attack, hurt, maim, disrupt, intimidate, and harm” political opponents an agenda he claims has been tolerated, if not encouraged, by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.

Referring to incidents at Alimosho and Ajeromi where opposition gatherings reportedly faced intimidation and threats, Rhodes-Vivour stated, “Violence is the last refuge of incompetence.”

He further asserted that the pattern of violence is a sign of desperation from a political class that has failed to deliver meaningful development despite over two decades in power.

“The President and his Lagos APC allies have controlled Lagos for 24 years, yet they have no record to campaign on. Instead, they mobilise people like this to stifle opposition, while sending their own children abroad to benefit from good governance,” he said.

He also criticised what he called a dangerous trend of labelling dissenting voices as “enemies of the President,” warning that such rhetoric threatens democratic freedoms and promotes fear-based politics.

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While reaffirming his commitment to nonviolence, Rhodes-Vivour issued a stark warning to those behind the alleged attacks: “Let it be known that we are not intimidated. We make this statement for the record and to emphatically state that no one has a monopoly on violence. When this movie starts you will quickly realise we are the many, you are the few.”