The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has petitioned the Lagos State Police Command over alleged threats and intimidation by the state chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego.
The petition, dated October 8, 2025, and signed by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, was addressed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police. It accuses Adekunle and other union members of issuing violent threats against political opponents ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the petition, a viral video recorded on September 25, 2025, allegedly shows Adekunle warning Lagos residents not to support any candidate opposed to President Bola Tinubu. In the footage, he is heard making menacing remarks in a mix of Yoruba and English, which the petition describes as “chilling” and capable of inciting violence or public panic.
Before the petition was filed, Adekunle denied making any inciting statements and claimed his comments were misunderstood. He also stated that he had complied with a summons from the Department of State Services (DSS) in relation to the video.
In the petition submitted on behalf of Rhodes-Vivour and the Lagos ADC leadership, Effiong described Adekunle’s remarks as “criminal intimidation and a threat to life,” calling on the police to take immediate action.
Rhodes-Vivour, who was the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 Lagos governorship election, is expected to contest again in 2027 under the ADC.
Reacting to the development on his X (formerly Twitter) page on Wednesday, Rhodes-Vivour said the petition was filed to show that his party was pursuing lawful means to address political intimidation.
“Earlier today, the ADC submitted our petition to the police against Mustapha Adekunle of the NURTW. We did this for public record, so that in future it will not be said that we did not pursue civilised recourse to their aggression and intimidation,” he wrote.
He also accused the APC-led administration in Lagos of using state-backed gangs to suppress dissent.
“For over twenty-four years, the President and his Lagos APC allies have controlled this state. After more than two decades in power, they have no credible record of achievement to run on.
Violence is the last refuge of incompetence. We are the many and they are the few. In due course, Nigerians will demonstrate that we are not cowards,” he added.
