The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos has denied the claims by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, gubernatorial candidate of Labour Party, that an alliance will be formed between both parties ahead of March 11 governorship polls.

Publicity secretary of the PDP in Lagos, Hakeem Ambode, said the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Abdulazeez ‘Jandor’ Adediran, has no plan to bow out of the gubernatorial race in Lagos. 

Mr Ambode said the statement made by Mr Rhodes-Vivour, that he was in talks with the “owners of PDP structure in Lagos State” is disrespectful to the party’s candidate. 

He said that Mr Rhodes-Vivour spoke with those that only represent their own interest and not Lagos PDP.

He added that “Jandor” is not planning to step down for any candidate. 

“Lagos state Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party has debunked claims by the Labour Party Candidate PDP Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour that he’s talking with what he called “the real owners of PDP structure in Lagos State”, saying the statement as credited to the Labour Party Candidate came as a disrespect to PDP, as no one can lay claims to the ownership structure of the PDP,” Mr Ambode said.

“PDP is a proper democratic party and it’s only the state executive of the party as recognised by the national body can be described as the custodian of the PDP under the leadership of the party’s governorship candidate Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (Jandor).

“So whoever Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour is talking to are only representing themselves and not Lagos PDP, as no official conversation across the two party lines at the moment, and Jandor is not planning to step down for any candidate.” 

According to Guardian, Mr Rhodes-Vivour said his party has been in talks with the owners of PDP and he assured them that Lagos will be taken to the next level. 

“We are talking to the owner of the structure of PDP. In the coming days, we will align with them to ensure that we take Lagos to the next level,” Mr Rhodes-Vivour was quoted to have said. 

“People that are behind this movement are not moved by money; they are voting for hope, moved by the hope of a new Lagos and they are going to come out more than before. People have seen how one man in his interest rubbished the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) process; so, we are ready to fight.

“I have seen the pains of Lagos. We know for a fact that the current government will not reduce unemployment, but our government will make the youths productive members of the society. We are going to give them bright Lagos.

Mr Rhodes-Vivour also spoke about his family background to clear the air about him being a South-eastern candidate.

“We have come too far to turn back, I Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Rhodes-Vivour family from Lagos Island, a true blood of Lagos, promise to stand fast with you until the very end. When people are determined to make change happen, no force on earth can prevent them from making that change. So we must never give up.”

However, Mr Ambode said “Jandor” is a household name in Lagos and has earned his merit due to his immense hard work, and was not riding on sudden waves.

He urged supporters of the PDP candidate to respect the law and order of the state “ensure that Lagos breaks free will be respected and defended in the coming gubernatorial election of March 11.

“The efforts to liberate Lagos from the present oligarchy government of APC cannot be undermined by people who do not see such a great battle that must be won and cannot be subjected to social media cruise.”