Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Criticizes APC’s Role in Hindering Lagos’s Growth

In a recent statement, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate for Lagos State in the upcoming 2023 general election, has raised concerns about the hindrances facing Lagos in its pursuit of becoming a global financial hub.

Rhodes-Vivour specifically pointed to alleged cronyism within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a major obstacle.

Rhodes-Vivour expressed dissatisfaction with Governor Sanwolu’s efforts to attract investors in London, describing them as “underwhelming, dishonest, and incoherent.” He highlighted the dismantling of a $10 million tech investment aimed at revolutionizing bike-hailing services in Lagos as evidence of conflicting policies within the state government.

According to Rhodes-Vivour, the success of Lagos as a tech ecosystem relies on the talent and determination of young Nigerians, and he criticized the APC administration for hindering the city’s potential for growth over the past 23 years.

The Labour Party candidate accused the APC of corruption and cronyism in the state’s investments in critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, housing, and waterways. He argued that these issues were impeding the development of high-quality infrastructure necessary for Lagos to compete on a global financial stage.

Rhodes-Vivour stressed the importance of an independent judiciary, pointing out the state government’s resistance to financial autonomy for the judiciary. He claimed that serious investors would be hesitant to invest in an economy lacking judicial independence, calling it embarrassing for a state aspiring to be Nigeria’s economic center.

In conclusion, Rhodes-Vivour emphasized that while Lagos has the potential to rival other major global financial hubs, effective leadership with vision, competence, and character is crucial for realizing this potential.