Rhodes-Vivour 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.
He said he had never denied the Yoruba identity of Lagos, noting that indigenous groups, including the Aworis and Eguns, played significant roles in the development of the state.
Explaining his difficulty with the Yoruba language, the ADC candidate said his major challenge was fluency, adding that he often thinks in English before translating his thoughts into other languages. He also said he was making efforts 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.
Rhodes-Vivour also addressed criticism over his use of an “Afonja” meme involving President Bola Tinubu, saying it was not intended as an insult to the Yoruba people or to suggest that Tinubu represented the entire ethnic group.
Beyond the controversy, he criticised the Lagos State Government over issues including housing, traffic, flooding, waste management, roads and alleged corruption.
He promised that, if elected, his administration would provide 100,000 affordable housing units, expand the rail system, tackle flooding and reform waste management by giving local governments a greater role.
He also pledged to address alleged corruption in waste management and create alternative opportunities for young people involved in street activities.
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