The Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 Lagos State election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has attributed his defeat to widespread violence and systemic voter suppression.

Speaking via a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Rhodes-Vivour lamented what he termed a deeply rooted “culture of violence and intimidation” that, in his view, heavily influenced the election’s outcome.

He claimed that despite strong voter turnout in his favor in some areas, the democratic process was undermined by orchestrated acts of violence aimed at silencing the electorate’s will.

“When violence becomes normalized against a segment of society, it inevitably spirals,” he said. Using the example of the Lagos State Assembly election, he highlighted how citizens who attempted to vote for new representation were confronted with force and fear tactics.

“These people voted and stood firm despite the threats, but the same kind of force was again deployed to derail the will of the people,” he added.

Rhodes-Vivour emphasized that the tactics used during the election weren’t isolated but reflective of a broader, deliberate strategy of repression. He identified this as the central barrier to a free and fair contest.

The 2023 governorship race in Lagos was one of the most closely watched in recent years, with Rhodes-Vivour gaining traction among younger voters and residents in urban areas. However, the election was marred by multiple reports of violence, voter harassment, and disruptions at several polling centers across the state.