Fresh reports indicate that Desmond Elliot, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has encountered a major setback in his bid to secure a fourth term in office.
According to Vanguard, multiple sources within the Presidency revealed that appeals from influential figures urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support Elliot’s re-election were declined.
The sources noted that stakeholders of the Surulere chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had endorsed Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, a former Special Adviser on Housing, as Elliot’s replacement. The move, it was gathered, was partly aimed at promoting gender inclusion within the constituency.
Efforts by prominent individuals to persuade the President to overturn the stakeholders’ decision were reportedly unsuccessful, as Tinubu maintained that internal party democracy must be respected. He was said to have reiterated that the choice reflected the will of the majority in Surulere and declined to interfere.
The President was also reported to have expressed confidence in his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, describing him as a key political leader in Surulere and a long-standing figure in the area’s development.
According to the sources, Tinubu emphasized that the forthcoming primary election would ultimately determine the candidate, noting that it would reflect grassroots support rather than external influence.
He was further quoted as recalling that Elliot’s initial political entry was facilitated years ago following an appeal by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, while Gbajabiamila later rallied local support for his emergence and subsequent terms.
Despite repeated interventions on Elliot’s behalf, the President reportedly maintained the same position during all engagements, insisting that the process remain open and democratic. Elliot, it was gathered, is still exploring last-minute efforts to revive his chances ahead of the Surulere I State Assembly primary scheduled for May 20, 2026.
Meanwhile, a civic group, Surulere Accountability Front (SAF), has openly opposed Elliot’s fourth-term ambition. Its chairman, Olanrewaju Badmus, described Elliot’s 12-year tenure as underwhelming, citing concerns over representation and leadership.
“Many youths in Surulere no longer see him as a role model,” Badmus said, adding that the call for change reflects the sentiments of constituents seeking new representation.
The development underscores growing political tension ahead of the APC primaries, as stakeholders weigh continuity against calls for change within the constituency.