By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, on Wednesday withdrew from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election, alleging intimidation and the denial of access to his supporters during the exercise.
Elliot announced his withdrawal at the APC primary venue, located at the Paddington Mini Stadium on Western Avenue, Lagos, where delegates had gathered for the party’s state assembly primaries.
Speaking shortly before leaving the venue, the actor-turned-politician accused some party officials and security personnel of preventing his supporters from participating in the process. According to him, repeated appeals to electoral officers to allow his supporters into the venue were ignored.
“In all zones, they’ve been intimidating and stopping us. I want to officially announce my withdrawal from this particular race. This is my ward. If you go outside, those are my people outside,” Elliot stated.
He further alleged that many of his loyalists were denied access to the polling arena despite efforts to resolve the situation peacefully. The development triggered a peaceful protest by some of his supporters, who subsequently exited the venue alongside the lawmaker.
However, Elliot urged his supporters to remain calm, noting that no political contest was worth the loss of lives or a breakdown of law and order. He called on the leadership of the APC to ensure transparency, fairness, and inclusiveness in the conduct of the party’s primaries across Lagos State.
Elliot, who first emerged as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015, has represented Surulere Constituency 1 for three consecutive terms under the platform of the APC.