Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, has formally petitioned the Lagos State Police Command, alleging intimidation and threats to his life by Mustapha Adekunle popularly known as Sego the state chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The petition, dated October 8 and signed by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, was addressed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police. It accuses Adekunle and other NURTW members of issuing violent threats against political opponents in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
According to the petition, a viral video from September 25 shows Adekunle warning Lagosians not to support any candidate opposing President Bola Tinubu. In the video, Sego allegedly issues threatening statements in a mix of Yoruba and Englishremarks described by the petitioners as “chilling” and potentially inciting violence.
Prior to the petition, Adekunle publicly denied making any inciting remarks. He claimed his comments were misinterpreted and that he had already responded to a summons by the Department of State Services (DSS).
However, in the petition filed on behalf of Rhodes-Vivour and the ADC Lagos leadership, Effiong insisted the remarks amounted to “criminal intimidation and a threat to life.”
Rhodes-Vivour, who ran for governor in 2023 under the Labour Party and is expected to contest again in 2027 under the ADC, shared an update on the petition via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday.
“Earlier today, the ADC submitted our petition to the police against Mustapha Adekunle of the NURTW,” he wrote. “We did this for public record, so that in future it cannot be said that we did not pursue lawful and civilised means in response to their aggression.”
Rhodes-Vivour also accused the Lagos APC-led government of using state-supported gangs to suppress dissent.
“For over twenty-four years, the President and his Lagos APC allies have ruled this state. Yet after all this time, they have no credible achievements to show,” he stated.
“Violence is the last refuge of incompetence. We are the many; they are the few. In time, Nigerians will prove that we are not cowards.”
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