Former Lagos State governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has dismissed criticisms surrounding the ongoing online registration drive of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing attempts to ridicule the exercise as “laughable”.
In a post shared on his X account, Rhodes-Vivour argued that detractors were merely resorting to a “coping mechanism” in response to what he characterised as the growing number of ordinary Nigerians registering with the opposition party. According to him, the surge in online sign-ups signals expanding grassroots interest rather than a superficial digital trend.
He clarified that the online process represents only the preliminary stage of membership enrolment, stressing that the true confirmation of party affiliation takes place at the ward level.
“The real confirmation happens at the ward level. That’s how structure works. That’s how credibility is built,” he wrote.
Rhodes-Vivour maintained that critics who focus solely on online figures misunderstand the organisational framework of political parties, where ward-level validation remains central to building a credible and functional structure.
In a pointed remark, he suggested it would be intriguing to see high-profile political figures publicly validate their membership at their respective wards, adding that such developments would undoubtedly attract widespread attention.
“It will be such a delight to see Trump and Asiwaju show up to validate their membership at their respective wards,” he stated, in an apparent reference to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, popularly known as Asiwaju.
He concluded by urging supporters to remain focused on expanding the party’s base despite online mockery.
“In the meantime, while they are busy crafting jokes, let’s keep growing our figures,” he added.
The ADC’s online registration initiative has generated debate across social media platforms, with supporters hailing it as a sign of momentum within the opposition, while critics question the depth of commitment behind digital registrations.
