Lagos State lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I, Desmond Elliot, has lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election and subsequently withdrawn from the re-election race.
Elliot, a three-term legislator seeking a fourth term, reportedly lost the party primary held on Wednesday amid a tense contest marked by allegations of intimidation and internal party disagreements.
Party sources said the primary was characterised by political rivalry, with some stakeholders allegedly urging Elliot to step down for another aspirant, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, a request he declined before proceeding with his ambition.
Supporters of the lawmaker alleged that the exercise was marred by harassment and attempts to suppress votes in favour of the incumbent, while claiming that irregularities were observed at several voting centres.
Members of Elliot’s media team also alleged that they had anticipated a flawed process and invited journalists to document the exercise for transparency.
As of press time, the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress had not issued an official response to the allegations surrounding the conduct of the primary.
In a separate development, Elliot later announced his withdrawal from the race in a video circulating on social media.
In the video, he cited alleged intimidation and restrictions during his campaign activities across different zones.
“My name is Desmond Elliot. In all zones, they have been intimidating and stopping us… I am officially announcing my withdrawal from this particular race,” he said.
His exit marks a significant twist in the political contest for Surulere Constituency I ahead of the next Lagos State House of Assembly election.
