Actor-turned-politician and lawmaker representing Surulere 1 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the constituency, citing alleged intimidation and exclusion of his supporters from the process.
Elliot announced his withdrawal on Wednesday amid growing controversy surrounding the APC primaries in parts of Lagos State.
In a video shared on his Instagram page, the lawmaker accused some party leaders in Surulere of orchestrating acts of intimidation and coercion against his loyalists during the primary exercise.
According to him, several of his supporters were prevented from participating in the election across different zones within the constituency.
“My name is Desmond Elliot and in all zones they have been intimidating and stopping us. I want to officially announce my withdrawal from this particular race,” he declared.
“This is my ward. If you go outside, those are my people outside, they have not been allowed.
”So, I am officially announcing my withdrawal from this race. Good luck, thank you and God bless you,” he added..
Elliot’s withdrawal has further heightened concerns over the conduct of the APC primaries in Lagos, where allegations of irregularities, internal disagreements and power struggles have continued to emerge in some constituencies.
The development marks a dramatic turnaround for the lawmaker, who only a day earlier publicly insisted that he would not step down from the race for another aspirant.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Elliot maintained that no party leader had directed him to withdraw from the contest.
He specifically denied reports suggesting that the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, had asked him to step aside for rival aspirant Barakat Odunuga-Bakare.
“Because I was not asked by him, my leader (Gbajabiamila), never,” Elliot had said.
“Even the day I declared [to contest], I flew to Abuja to see him again to tell him, ‘Oga’, which is how I call him, ‘Oga, I am here again.’”
The lawmaker also stated during the interview that his decision to seek another term was based on his desire to continue serving the people of Surulere 1 and confidence in his grassroots support.
“But at the end of the day, I am here to also serve the people. I do have the leadership; I do have the people.
”So, the President has said, let the people decide. If they want you to continue, you continue,” he said.
Desmond Elliot was first elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015 under the APC platform and has represented Surulere 1 constituency for three consecutive terms.
Before venturing fully into politics, he built a successful career in Nigeria’s film industry as an actor, producer and director, becoming one of the prominent figures in Nollywood.
Political observers said his withdrawal may significantly alter the dynamics of the Surulere 1 contest, while also exposing deeper divisions within the APC structure in the constituency ahead of the 2027 elections.
The APC primaries across several states have continued to witness withdrawals, consensus arrangements and internal negotiations as the ruling party prepares for the next electoral cycle.
