Drama unfolded during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Lagos State on Wednesday as actor-turned-politician Desmond Olusola Elliot announced his withdrawal from the race for Surulere Constituency I seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Elliot, a three-term lawmaker seeking a fourth term, pulled out of the contest at the venue of the election following rising tensions, a wave of internal party disputes, and allegations of voter intimidation targeting his supporters.
The development immediately shifted the atmosphere at the polling venue, turning what was expected to be a routine party primary into a heated political flashpoint in one of Lagos’ most closely watched constituencies.
“They Have Been Intimidating and Stopping Us”
Tension escalated at the Surulere voting centre as internal divisions within the APC became increasingly visible. In a live Instagram broadcast from his ward, a visibly frustrated Elliot addressed supporters and announced his decision to step down.
“My name is Desmond Elliot and in all zones, they have been intimidating and stopping us,” he said while gesturing toward the crowd behind him. “I want to officially announce my withdrawal from this particular race. This is my ward. If you go outside, those are my people outside; they have not been allowed to enter. So, I am officially announcing my withdrawal from this race. Good luck, thank you and God bless you.”
His announcement triggered immediate reactions from supporters gathered around the venue. Some expressed shock, while others insisted the process was unfair and poorly managed. A brief but tense gathering followed, with chants and emotional exchanges before security personnel and party officials moved in to calm the situation.
Eventually, Elliot and his supporters left the premises peacefully, although visibly dissatisfied with how events had unfolded.
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Allegations of Intimidation and Internal Party Pressure
Although the withdrawal appeared sudden to onlookers, political tension had been building in the constituency for several days. Elliot had earlier raised concerns about what he described as coordinated efforts by some party stakeholders to weaken his re-election bid.
He specifically accused local party leaders of working to clear the path for another aspirant, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who is also contesting the Surulere I seat.
On Sunday, Elliot released a viral video alleging that some party officials and local government actors were pressuring delegates to support a preferred candidate. He claimed that threats had been issued to supporters, including warnings about the withdrawal of empowerment programs and political benefits if they refused to align with the establishment-backed candidate.
According to him, the situation had gone beyond internal politicking and had become a matter of coercion.
He also alleged that some individuals associated with his campaign, including aides and local government workers, had faced punitive actions such as suspension or dismissal due to their political alignment.
“These are not the ideals of democracy within a party,” he had warned earlier in the week. “People should be allowed to choose freely without fear or intimidation.”
A Sudden Reversal After Public Defiance
Despite the growing tension, Elliot appeared on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, where he strongly insisted that he would not withdraw from the race.
During that interview, he maintained confidence in his support base and dismissed claims that pressure would force him out of the contest. His stance made Wednesday’s withdrawal even more unexpected to political observers and party members present at the venue.
However, reports from the ground suggested that the exclusion of some delegates and supporters from the voting process contributed to his final decision. Witnesses described confusion at entry points, with claims that access to the venue was restricted for some groups aligned with his campaign.
Elliot later stated that his withdrawal was necessary to prevent further escalation of tension and to avoid any breakdown of law and order.
“No political position is worth the loss of human life or violence,” he said after leaving the venue.
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Supporters React as Party Officials Step In
Following his exit, a number of supporters expressed disappointment over the outcome. Some accused party officials of bias, while others called for internal reforms in the conduct of primaries.
Party officials at the venue, however, maintained that the process followed due procedure and urged members to remain calm. Security presence was increased briefly to prevent any escalation, and voting activities in other areas continued under close supervision.
Gbajabiamila Praises Conduct of the Primaries
In contrast to the allegations raised by Elliot, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, offered a positive assessment of the primary exercise.
Gbajabiamila, a former long-serving representative of Surulere I in the House of Representatives, voted at Ward G2 (Adeniran Ogunsanya Ward 5) in Alaka Housing Estate and described the process as peaceful and orderly.
“When I see peaceful, fair, credible, orderly elections, I am always very happy. And that is exactly what I have seen today,” he said. “The turnout, considering that we are talking about primaries here, has been very impressive. People have been peaceful and orderly. From what I am hearing, the feedback I am getting, it is the same across the board.”
His remarks highlighted a contrasting narrative between the official assessment of the process and the experience described by Elliot and his supporters.
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Surulere I Political Context (2015–2026)
| Metric | Details |
| Incumbent | Desmond Olusola Elliot (APC) |
| First Elected | 2015 |
| Terms Served | 3 |
| Main Challenger | Barakat Odunuga-Bakare |
| Outcome | Elliot withdrew during the primaries |
A Major Shift in Surulere Politics
Elliot’s withdrawal marks a significant moment in Surulere’s political landscape. Since first entering the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015, he has remained one of the most visible political figures in the constituency, combining his background in Nollywood with legislative responsibilities.
His exit from the race raises broader questions about internal party cohesion in Lagos APC and the level of influence exerted by local power blocs during primaries.
Political analysts expect the development to trigger further debate within the party, especially regarding delegate selection, internal democracy, and the handling of competitive aspirants.
What Next for Elliot and the APC?
With Elliot stepping aside, attention now turns to the official outcome of the primaries and whether the APC leadership will respond to the allegations raised during the process.
There are also questions about whether Elliot may take a temporary step back from frontline politics or continue to play a role within the party structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For now, the Surulere I constituency remains at the centre of one of the most talked-about internal party disputes in Lagos politics this year, with implications that could extend beyond the local level.
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