The gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, on Wednesday, advised citizens to remain strong and keep their dreams alive despite the assaults and harassment they had been facing since the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
Speaking at a news conference, Rhodes-Vivour, who praised Lagosians for their support during Saturday’s election, said votes of the followers of the party inside and outside the state retired some members of the status quo despite the manoeuvres of the powers that be to truncate it.
He stated, “Our win is for the people of Lagos and it has put up the framework upon which we can alter the status quo and begin to construct a better Lagos going ahead. At this time, I understand your sadness, disappointments and rage at this system which callously seeks to undermine our will and makes us feel like our votes don’t count. Do not despair my countrymen.
“Our votes truly matter and it has retired several members of the status quo already. I have also heard of the threats they make to your livelihood, the intimidation of your enterprises and the violence they have pledged to unleash on you.
“Stand strong because I will stand solid with you through this all and together we will conquer and when we attain victory, none of them will challenge you. We must keep the fire blazing and even if they try to scare us, the one thing they cannot destroy is our optimism.
“Our optimism has kept us going in the face of intimidation, thuggery and censorship. Our aspiration for a better Lagos and a better Nigeria has taken us this far. That has set us apart in this political cycle.”
Rhodes-Vivour, while appealing to the electorates to go into their deepest recesses and draw strength to allow the party to emerge victorious in the impending gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections, encouraged them not to give in to self-doubt or fundamental fears.
He responded, “We have travelled too far to turn back! I, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, a genuine blood of Lagos State swear to remain with you to the very end. When individuals are committed to making change happen no force on earth can keep them from accomplishing that change. Therefore we must never give up!
“I am simply a vehicle through which we can accomplish the collective change we all desire and it is not I, but every single Lagosian who has been oppressed and victimised by the status quo that is running for this election. I am a trueborn Lagosian blazing with passion for a new Lagos and I tell you that under this new Lagos, everyone who dwells in Lagos State would be treated equally and equitably.”
