2027: Desmond Elliot’s fourth-ambition faces obstacle as Surulere coalition kicks 

2027: Surulere coalition opposes Desmond Elliot’s fourth-term ambition

A coalition of stakeholders in Surulere has urged the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, not to support the alleged fourth-term bid of Mr Desmond Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The group said backing such a move would undermine the All Progressives Congress (APC) and disregard the wishes of constituents.

The position was contained in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its spokesman, Olanrewaju Badmus, of the Surulere Accountability Front (SAF).

Badmus said the statement reflected the views of concerned residents, community leaders, and political stakeholders in the constituency.

He described Elliot’s 11-year tenure as “a wasted opportunity marked by underperformance, detachment from grassroots realities, character deficiency, and overreliance on the record of others.”

According to him, in 2015, Alhaji Kabir Lawal was denied the APC ticket for Surulere Constituency I, while Elliot, a Nollywood actor, was fielded despite lacking political roots in the area.

Badmus said 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,” he 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.

“We voted for Desmond Elliot because of appeals from Gbajabiamila in the past. Now, he should understand that we cannot afford a fourth-term experiment in failure.”

Badmus warned that insisting on Elliot’s candidacy in 2027 could hurt the APC’s electoral prospects in Surulere.

“If the APC truly wants to win elections in Surulere, it must stop the imposition of failure on our people,” he said.

“The rejection of Desmond Elliot is now widespread, from Bank Olemoh to Olawale Dawodu, Iponri, Masha, and other communities. Residents are united in saying: ‘Enough is enough.’”

He urged Gbajabiamila to allow a new candidate to emerge through a transparent and credible process.

While reaffirming the group’s loyalty to the APC, Badmus said 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 the APC in 2027.

“If it does otherwise, it should be ready to bear the consequences at the polls. Enough of using Nollywood fame to cajole constituents. Surulere people are wiser now,” he said.

Also speaking, a resident, Mr Sheriffdeen Ojon, expressed dissatisfaction with reports of Elliot’s fourth-term ambition.

“I heard that Desmond Elliot is considering a fourth term, but the people of Surulere have voiced their disapproval,” he said.

“What are his accomplishments as a member of the House of Assembly? He only benefits from the legacy of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila in Surulere.”

Ojon alleged that Elliot’s continued stay in office was largely due to Gbajabiamila’s influence.

“Without Gbajabiamila’s backing, a third term may not have been possible,” he said.

“Given the lack of notable accomplishments after over a decade in office, it would be prudent for him to step aside and allow another candidate to emerge.

“After 12 years, he may refocus on his acting and directing career, while Surulere gets the responsive representation it deserves.”

He, however, noted that residents still “respect and admire” Gbajabiamila and prayed for his continued success.

Both Badmus and Ojon appealed to the Chief of Staff to align with the mood of constituents.

Meanwhile, scores of APC members and residents of Surulere Constituency I on Tuesday staged a rally in support of Elliot’s return in 2027.

The supporters marched through parts of the constituency, including Teslim Balogun Stadium and Shitta Roundabout, carrying placards endorsing him as the party’s consensus candidate.

Mr Oludare Khalid-Willican, who led the rally, said the action was prompted by reports that some party leaders were considering another candidate.

He added that many residents had benefited from Elliot’s representation, noting that the lawmaker had impacted lives and facilitated development in the area.

Desmond Elliot