There was a light-hearted moment at the 2026 Independence Day edition of The Platform after the Lagos State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, was challenged by an audience member to answer a question on Yoruba culture and language in the indigenous language.
The incident occurred during the question-and-answer session of the event when an attendee asked Rhodes-Vivour what he would do to preserve Yoruba culture, tradition, and language if elected governor of Lagos State.
The questioner referred to a recent interview the ADC candidate had with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television, expressing concern that many Yoruba children in Lagos were increasingly unable to speak the language.
‘Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, I have two questions for you. I watched your recent interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels TV, where you spoke about the Yoruba culture, tradition, and language. You know Lagos is Yorubaland. Now, what would you do to preserve our culture, tradition and language?’ the attendee asked.
He also cited China and India as examples of countries where children continue to speak their indigenous languages.
However, as Rhodes-Vivour began responding in English, some members of the audience protested and demanded that he answer the question in Yoruba.
The development briefly caused a stir at the venue before the ADC candidate calmed the audience and proceeded with his response, at one point speaking in Yoruba.
Rhodes-Vivour affirmed that Lagos is Yorubaland and stressed the importance of preserving the Yoruba language as a carrier of the people’s culture and heritage.
‘Let me start by saying this is Lagos; Lagos is Yorubaland. No doubt about it. Language is important, language carries the culture and heritage of our people,’ he said.
He, however, said his primary responsibility as a governorship candidate was to address issues of governance.
The ADC candidate also criticised the state’s education system, alleging that pupils had been punished for speaking Yoruba in schools despite more than two decades of APC administration in the state.
‘Today, we’ve had 20-something years of the APC governance but till now, if you speak Yoruba in primary schools or secondary school, they will say it is vernacular and they beat and punish you,’ he said.
Rhodes-Vivour subsequently urged the questioner to direct some of the concerns to representatives of the Lagos State Government who were present at the event.