Three-term Lagos State lawmaker, Desmond Elliot, has lost the All Progressives Congress primary election for Surulere Constituency I amid controversy and allegations of intimidation during the exercise. Elliot, who currently represents Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly and was seeking a fourth term in office, reportedly lost out after a tense primary contest marked by internal party disagreements and heightened political rivalry.
Political rift and pressure to step down
The lawmaker had been involved in a prolonged political rift with his former political allies, who were said to have withdrawn support for his re-election bid. Party stakeholders had allegedly urged him to step down for another aspirant, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who was also contesting for the seat, but Elliot declined and proceeded with his ambition.
Allegations of intimidation during voting
Tension escalated during the primary election on Wednesday as supporters of the lawmaker alleged widespread intimidation and harassment aimed at preventing them from participating in the voting process. Members of Elliot's media team claimed there were deliberate attempts to suppress votes in favour of the incumbent legislator, alleging that incidents at various voting centres were being documented by journalists and party observers.
According to the team, reports and footage of the alleged harassment would be made public, insisting that concerns over the credibility of the exercise had existed even before the commencement of voting. "We already knew that it was not going to be a free and fair primary, which is why members of Desmond Elliot's media team invited conventional media organisations to monitor and document the process," a member of the team said.
Official response pending
As of the time of filing this report, the leadership of the APC in Lagos had yet to officially respond to the allegations surrounding the conduct of the primary election in Surulere.
