Lagos Assembly: Surulere stakeholders warn Gbajabiamila against backing Elliot’s fourth term
A coalition of stakeholders in Surulere has cautioned the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, against supporting a fourth-term bid by Desmond Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency I
A coalition of stakeholders in Surulere has cautioned the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, against supporting a fourth-term bid by Desmond Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The group said endorsing Elliot’s continued stay in office would undermine the All Progressives Congress (APC) and disregard the wishes of constituents in Surulere Constituency I.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Friday and signed by the group’s spokesman, Mr Olanrewaju Badmus of the Surulere Accountability Front (SAF).
Badmus noted that the statement reflected the concerns of residents, community leaders, and political stakeholders across the constituency.
He said that in 2015, Alhaji Kabir Lawal was denied the APC ticket for Surulere Constituency I, while Elliot, then a Nollywood actor, was fielded despite lacking a political background in the area.
According to him, Elliot had no visible presence in Surulere at the time and lacked a track record of local engagement.
“Surulere has paid the price for that decision for 11 years,” Badmus said.
“The constituency was handed over to someone who was never part of our political structure and has consistently failed to justify the confidence reposed in him.
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“We voted for Desmond Elliot because of appeals from Gbajabiamila in the past; now he should understand that a fourth-term bid is unacceptable.”
Badmus warned that insisting on Elliot’s candidacy in 2027 could weaken the APC’s electoral prospects in Surulere.
“If the APC intends to win elections in Surulere, it must end the imposition of candidate on the people,” he added.
“The rejection of Desmond Elliot is now broad and emphatic – from Bank Olemo to Olawale Dawodu to Iponri, Masha and several other communities.
“Residents are united in saying: ‘enough is enough," he added.
He urged Gbajabiamila to allow a new candidate to emerge through a transparent and credible process.
He reaffirmed the stakeholders' loyalty to the APC but emphasised that such loyalty must be reciprocal.
“We will not work against our own future. If the party listens to the people and rejects imposition, Surulere will stand firmly with APC in 2027.
“If it does otherwise, it should be ready to bear the consequences at the polls.
“Enough of anyone using Nollywood fame to cajole poor constituents. Surulere people are wiser now," Badmus said.
Also speaking, a resident, Mr Sheriffdeen Ojon, expressed dissatisfaction with reports of Elliot’s fourth-term ambition.
“I heard that Desmond Elliot is contemplating a fourth term in Surulere Constituency 1, but the people of Surulere have voiced their disapproval.
“What are his accomplishments as a member of the state House of Assembly representing Surulere?
“He only reaps the benefits of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila’s outstanding work in Surulere.”
Ojon further alleged that Elliot’s continued stay in office was largely due to Gbajabiamila’s influence.
He said, “Without Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila’s influence, a third term may not have been possible.
“Given the lack of notable accomplishments after over 11 years at the state House of Assembly, where he largely depended on Gbajabiamila’s backing and achievements.
“It would be prudent for Desmond Elliot to step aside and allow another qualified candidate to run for State Assembly Constituency 1.
“After 11 years in the House of Assembly, it may be time for him to refocus on his acting and directing career in Nollywood while Surulere gets the responsive, accessible representation it deserves.”
He added that residents “respect and admire” Gbajabiamila and “pray fervently for his success and continued good deeds.”
Both Badmus and Ojon appealed to Gbajabiamila to align with the mood of constituents.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) however recalls that scores of APC members and residents of Surulere 1 constituency on Tuesday marched round the streets of the Lagos constituency, urging the party to adopt the incumbent lawmaker, Elliot, as its consensus candidate for the 2027 elections.
The residents , who converged on Teslim Balogun Stadium, walked round the popular Shitta Roundabout and adjoining streets, holding placards with various inscriptions expressing their support for Elliot.
Mr Oludare Khalid-Willican, who led the march, said such action had become necessary following a rumoured decision by some party leaders to give the APC ticket to a supposed consensus candidate.
Khalid-Willican said that many residents had benefitted from Elliot’s good representation in the House of Assembly, adding that he had impact many lives and facilitated many development to the area.
