Lagos State lawmaker and Nollywood actor Desmond Elliot has rejected the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Surulere Constituency I, vowing to challenge the result through the party's internal appeal mechanism. Elliot lost the primary to Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who reportedly secured 11,385 votes against Elliot's 270 votes in the exercise held on Wednesday.
Allegations of Irregularities
Speaking to journalists after the primary, Elliot alleged widespread intimidation, violence, and irregularities that marred the process. He claimed that many of his supporters were denied access to voting centers and that some were injured during the exercise. 'Nobody was killed, but a lot of people were really maimed. There are videos of people going to the hospital. This is just primaries. It is not a do-or-die affair,' Elliot stated.
Elliot also questioned the handling of membership cards, noting that some of his supporters were told their cards were fake without proper verification. 'The only way you can verify if a card is fake is when they go through the verification process and allow them to do that process. So why would you say they are fake?' he asked.
Commitment to Party
Despite rejecting the primary result, Elliot affirmed his loyalty to the APC. 'The only person who can ask me to step down is the party. If the party says Desmond go down, that is when I will step down because I'm a party person,' he said. He emphasized that he would utilize the party's appeal process to contest the outcome, describing the election as flawed.
Elliot, who has represented Surulere Constituency I since 2015, dismissed rumors that he had withdrawn from the race, clarifying that he only instructed his agents and supporters to stop participating due to the irregularities observed. 'We are appealing, and as I say, it is not a do-or-die affair. I'm here to serve the people,' he added.
Political Implications
The development is expected to stir political conversations within the Lagos APC, especially as the influence of key party leaders continues to shape local contests. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, a former Special Adviser on Housing to the Lagos State Governor, secured a decisive victory in the primary, signaling a shift in the constituency's political landscape.
Elliot's rejection of the result and his vow to appeal highlight the internal tensions within the party as it prepares for the upcoming Lagos State House of Assembly election. The outcome of the appeal process will be closely watched by political observers and residents of Surulere Constituency I.
