Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos State, has strongly criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the deepening state of insecurity across Nigeria.
In a statement released by his media office on Sunday, Rhodes-Vivour accused the APC-led federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, of failing to address the escalating violence plaguing the country.
According to him, the level of insecurity being experienced under the current administration has reached alarming proportions and far exceeds the situation under former President Goodluck Jonathan, an era the APC had repeatedly condemned while in opposition.
Rhodes-Vivour argued that instead of confronting Nigeria’s security challenges head-on, President Tinubu and his political allies appear more focused on positioning themselves for the 2027 general elections. He described this as a dangerous form of political negligence that has left the Nigerian population vulnerable and in fear.
“The Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Media Office categorically rejects the APC’s recent narrative suggesting improvements in national security under President Tinubu. This claim stands in stark contrast to the daily reality faced by millions of Nigerians who are constantly exposed to violent attacks and lawlessness,” the statement read.
Highlighting the irony in the APC’s stance, he recalled how the party once lambasted the Jonathan administration for similar issues. “Today, even the country’s top officials are not spared,” he noted, citing the recent theft of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu’s vehicle in Abuja, and the tragic murder of Hon. AbdulRauf Adekunle Adeniji, the APC’s Director of Administration, who was reportedly killed after weeks in captivity events that underscore the alarming security breakdown.
“While citizens live in fear, the APC appears unbothered. From the deadly attacks in Uromi, Edo State, to the recurring massacres in Plateau State, the federal government continues to offer weak responses, with little or no accountability. These are not isolated events—they paint a pattern of abandonment and indifference,” Rhodes-Vivour stated.
He also lambasted the ruling party for placing politics above national stability. “Rather than focusing on their core responsibility of governance, the Tinubu-led administration is already immersed in the politics of 2027, ignoring the urgent crises threatening the very fabric of the nation,” he said.
Accuses Police of Bias and Politicization
In a further swipe at the government, Rhodes-Vivour condemned the Nigeria Police Force for allegedly serving political interests instead of the public. He accused security agencies of being biased and suppressing dissenting voices while overlooking crimes committed by political elites.
“The Nigeria Police has sadly become politicized, often used to intimidate critics and protect those in power. This is a gross betrayal of its mandate to safeguard the lives and property of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation,” he said.
LP Calls for Total Security Reform
As a solution to the ongoing crisis, the Labour Party is demanding a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture. Rhodes-Vivour emphasized the need for a non-partisan and professional security system that places the safety of Nigerians above political considerations.
“The government must stop deceiving the people with misleading statistics. Lives are being lost daily. Nigerians deserve a leadership that prioritizes their security and welfare, not one that engages in political showmanship,” he concluded.
According to Rhodes-Vivour, until there is a genuine commitment to reform, any claims of improved security by the APC will remain, in his words, “a cruel joke” and a reminder of the government’s growing detachment from the plight of its citizens.
