JUST IN: Desmond Elliot’s Withdrawal From Lagos Assembly Primaries [VIDEO]
DESMOND Elliot has officially withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, citing alleged intimidation and obstruction of his supporters across the constituency.
The lawmaker announced his decision on Wednesday, 20 May, 2026, during the APC primary held at the Paddington Mini Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
In a brief but emotional statement before party officials and supporters, Elliot said, “In all zones, they have been intimidating and stopping us. I want to officially announce my withdrawal from this particular race.”
His decision brought an abrupt end to his bid to secure the APC ticket for another term in the Lagos State House of Assembly, where he has represented Surulere Constituency I since 2015.
Elliot, a popular Nollywood actor before venturing into politics, was seeking what would have been his fourth consecutive term in the state legislature. However, his re-election campaign had faced increasing turbulence in recent weeks amid reports of deepening political disagreements within the APC in Surulere.
Prior to the primary, the lawmaker had publicly alleged that some of his supporters were being harassed and prevented from participating in the delegate process. He also claimed that certain local government officials sympathetic to his campaign were removed from office and that his police escorts were withdrawn without explanation.
The Surulere APC primary attracted widespread attention due to Elliot’s fierce contest with Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, a former Special Adviser on Housing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Political observers noted that the contest took on added significance following reports that Femi Gbajabiamila, a dominant political figure in Surulere and Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had shifted his support away from Elliot.
Politics
In the days leading up to the primary, Elliot had publicly apologised to Gbajabiamila over disagreements connected to the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly involving Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
With Elliot’s withdrawal, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare is now widely regarded as the leading contender to clinch the APC ticket for Surulere Constituency I ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development marks a significant turning point in Lagos politics and highlights the intense internal struggle for influence within the ruling APC, particularly in Surulere, one of the state’s most politically strategic constituencies.
