Rhodes-Vivour: Yoruba fluency not needed for Lagos culture

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Lagos State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, asserted that fluency in Yoruba is not a prerequisite for preserving Lagos culture if elected. This statement followed his response to a question about Yoruba culture at The Platform event on October 1, where he faced audience demands to speak in Yoruba.

Rhodes-Vivour acknowledged his challenges with the language but affirmed his commitment to the Yoruba identity of Lagos, recognizing contributions from indigenous groups like the Aworis and Eguns. He emphasized that his focus is on governance, stating that cultural preservation can be achieved through government policies.

Additionally, he addressed criticism regarding a viral meme involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, clarifying that it was not intended as an insult to the Yoruba race. Rhodes-Vivour criticized the current state government for various issues, including housing, traffic, and corruption, positioning himself as a candidate for change.