Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has criticised what he described as attempts to limit the choice of Lagos leadership to a few individuals.

Rhodes-Vivour made the remarks in a post on X on Tuesday while reacting to a viral report claiming that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had been asked to resign on health grounds.

He described such claims as an attempt to undermine the will of the people and reduce democratic decision-making to the influence of a select group.

According to him, political power in Lagos should rest solely with its residents and not be dictated by any individual or group.

He said, “The APC, and particularly Mr President, are mistaken to believe they have stripped Lagosians of agency.

That who becomes governor or when to remove the said governor is reduced to the feelings or hallucinations of one man and a gang of kleptocrats is insulting to many and must no longer be tolerated.”

Rhodes-Vivour insisted that only Lagosians have the right to choose their leaders and determine when a sitting governor should be removed.

He added that leadership in the state must reflect the will of the people rather than the influence of powerful political actors.

“Only the people of Lagos can and must determine those who will lead them. Only they also reserve the right to decide when they are fed up with who governs the state,” he said.

He further described Lagos as bigger than the influence of any single individual and called for accountable leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.

Rhodes-Vivour urged voters to prioritise leadership that is responsive and accountable to the people.

His comments followed the Lagos State Government’s dismissal of reports claiming that Governor Sanwo-Olu had been asked to resign.

The government described the report as false and misleading, stating that the governor remains in good health and continues to perform his duties.

Officials also urged the public to disregard the viral claims, describing them as fake news.