Language is key, language carries the culture and heritage of our individuals.
“Now, we’ve had 20-something years of the APC governance but till now, if you speak Yoruba in initial schools or secondary school, they will mention it is vernacular and they beat and punish you.
“I hope some of those questions would be directed at Lagos Declare Government representatives that are here.”
Lagos Condition governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, stirred an uproar at the 2026 Independence Day edition of The Platform later than attempting to response a query around preserving the Yoruba language and culture in English.
Naija News reports that the incident occurred during the event’s inquiry-and-reply session, once a attendee asked Rhodes-Vivour what he would do to guarded Yoruba culture, tradition, and language if elected governor of Lagos Condition.
The participant referenced Rhodes-Vivour’s current interview including Nigerian journalist, Seun Okinbaloye, on Channels Television, and argued that Yoruba children in Lagos were increasingly unable to speak their indigenous language.
He moreover cited China and India as examples of countries where children sustain their indigenous languages, whereas expressing worry that countless children in Lagos could not speak Yoruba.
The participant asked, “Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, I have two questions for you. No doubt around it. Now, what would you do to maintain our culture, tradition and language?”
Nevertheless, Rhodes-Vivour responded in English, which sparked a rowdy session amid some society members who protested, insisting that the ADC candidate should solution the query in Yoruba.
Rhodes-Vivour affirmed the importance of preserving the language as a carrier of culture and heritage, but noted that his responsibility as a governorship candidate was to focus on governance.
He too criticised the condition’s education platform, alleging that pupils had been punished for speaking Yoruba in school, adding that the inquiry should be directed to representatives of the Lagos Situation Government who were introduce at the event.
He said, “Let me launch by saying this is Lagos; Lagos is Yorubaland. You recognize Lagos is Yorubaland. I watched your recent interview including Seun Okinbaloye on Channels TV, where you spoke regarding the Yoruba culture, tradition, and language.
Source: Drama As ADC Lagos Guber Candidate, Rhodes-Vivour Responds To Yoruba Question
