In other news, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has responded to the backlash over his Yoruba fluency, and he came with a language app subscription.
The Lagos State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) recently clarified that he does not need to be fluent in Yoruba to preserve and protect Lagos' indigenous culture if elected governor. He made the clarification in a video shared on Monday following reactions to his response to a question about Yoruba culture and language at The Platform's October 1 event.
(folds hands like Sandra Okonzuwa)
Rhodes-Vivour said he had never denied Lagos' Yoruba identity, noting that indigenous groups such as the Aworis and Eguns contributed to the development of the city. Explaining his difficulty with Yoruba, he said his challenge was mainly fluency, adding that he often thinks in English before translating his thoughts into other languages. He said he was working to improve his Yoruba.
"My business is governance. I don't have to speak perfect Yoruba to preserve and protect the indigenous culture of Lagos."
He said.
(nodes head like Davido)
He also addressed criticism of his "Afonja" meme involving President Bola Tinubu, saying it was not an insult to the Yoruba race or an attempt to suggest that Tinubu represented the entire ethnic group.
He also pledged to address alleged corruption in waste management and create alternative opportunities for young people involved in street activities.
Rhodes-Vivour has reportedly enrolled in Yoruba lessons on Duolingo. Sources say he has been practising for 15 minutes every morning and has already completed the first three units. He has also hired a private tutor who comes to his house twice a week. His campaign team has reportedly been testing him with basic phrases, and he can now say "Ẹ káàrọ̀" without hesitating. He is not just defending his fluency; he is working on it.
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Source: One of Rhodes-Vivour's campaign staff, Chioma David, who confirmed he has been practising Yoruba on his phone every morning.
