ADC, Rhodes-Vivour petition police over NURTW chairman’s alleged 2027 election threat
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, and former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, have filed a formal petition to the police over alleged threats of violence issued by the Lagos Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego.
The petition, prepared by Inibehe Effiong Chambers and submitted to the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday, follows the circulation of a viral video in which Mr Adekunle was captured warning union members to support the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 elections or face consequences. He was quoted as saying that “what happened in 2023 would not be allowed to repeat itself in 2027.”
“Our clients’ attention has been drawn to the egregious actions of some members of the NURTW, particularly Mr Mustapha Adekunle (also known as Sego), the incumbent chairman of the Lagos State Council of the union. In a viral video said to have been recorded on September 25, 2025, Mr Sego is heard issuing direct threats to anyone unwilling to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2027 presidential election,” the petition reads in part.
The statement also explained that although Mr Adekunle spoke mostly in Yoruba with some English words, the translated message “conveys chilling meanings and clear threats of violence.”
Following the emergence of the video, Mr Adekunle was reportedly invited by the State Security Service, SSS, for questioning over the alleged threats.
Reacting to the development in a statement on X on Wednesday, Rhodes-Vivour explained that the petition was submitted to ensure a documented response in the event the threats are eventually carried out.
He accused the APC-led government in Lagos of relying on intimidation and violence to suppress dissent rather than delivering good 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 future it will not be said that we did not pursue civilised recourse to their aggression and intimidation,” he wrote.
“For over 24 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. Hence, they resort to mobilising paid or coerced gangs to stifle opposition, while their families continue to send their children abroad to enjoy the benefits of good governance elsewhere.
“Violence is the last refuge of incompetence. This thugocracy must not stand. We are the many, and they are the few. In due course, Nigerians will demonstrate that we are not cowards,” Rhodes-Vivour added.
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