Table of Contents
- Petition Filed
- Viral Video
- Threats Explained
- Response from Rhodes-Vivour
- Government Allegations
- Final Remarks
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, have formally petitioned the police regarding alleged threats of violence made by Mustapha Adekunle, the Lagos Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), commonly known as Sego.
The petition, prepared by Inibehe Effiong Chambers and submitted to the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday, follows the release of a viral video where Mr. Adekunle warned union members to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections or face repercussions. He was quoted as saying, “what happened in 2023 will not be allowed to happen again in 2027.”
“Our clients have been alerted to the alarming actions of certain members of the NURTW, particularly Mr. Mustapha Adekunle (also known as Sego), the current chairman of the Lagos State Council of the union. In a viral video reportedly recorded on September 25, 2025, Mr. Sego can be heard issuing direct threats to anyone who does not support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2027 presidential election,” the petition states in part.
The statement further clarified that although Mr. Adekunle primarily spoke in Yoruba with some English phrases, the translated message “conveys alarming implications and clear threats of violence.”
Following the release of the video, Mr. Adekunle was reportedly summoned by the State Security Service (SSS) for interrogation regarding the alleged threats.
In response to these developments, Rhodes-Vivour issued a statement on X on Wednesday, explaining that the petition was filed to ensure there is a documented response should the threats be acted upon.
He accused the APC-led government in Lagos of relying on intimidation and violence to stifle dissent instead of providing effective governance.
“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 the future, it will not be said that we did not seek civilized recourse to their aggression and intimidation,” he stated.
“For over 24 years, the president and his Lagos APC allies have governed this state. After more than two decades in power, they have no credible record of achievement to campaign on. Therefore, they resort to mobilizing paid or coerced gangs to suppress opposition, while their families continue to send their children abroad to enjoy the benefits of good governance in other countries.
“Violence is the last refuge of incompetence. This thugocracy must not prevail. We are the many, and they are the few. In due course, Nigerians will prove that we are not cowards,” Rhodes-Vivour concluded.
What prompted the ADC to file a petition?
The ADC filed a petition in response to alleged threats of violence made by Mustapha Adekunle, the Lagos Chairman of the NURTW, urging union members to support the APC in the upcoming elections.
What was said in the viral video?
In the viral video, Mr. Adekunle warned members to support the APC or face consequences, stating that the events of 2023 would not be allowed to repeat in 2027.
How did Rhodes-Vivour respond to the threats?
Rhodes-Vivour stated that the petition was necessary to document the threats and ensure there is a record of their actions should they escalate.
