Surulere stakeholders to Gbajabiamila: Don’t impose Desmond Elliot for 4th term

By Dapo Akinrefon

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a coalition of Surulere stakeholders has urged the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, against any attempt to impose Desmond Elliot for a fourth term as a member representing Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The group noted that the continued imposition of an unpopular candidate amounts to deliberate sabotage of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Surulere and a disregard for the wishes of the people.

The Surulere Accountability Front, SAF, in a statement by Olanrewaju Badmus, described Elliot’s 11 years in office as “a wasted opportunity marked by underperformance, detachment from grassroots realities,

character deficiency, and overreliance on the record of others.”

The group recalled that in 2015, Kabir Lawal was denied the party ticket for the Surulere Constituency 1 seat in favour of Desmond Elliot, a Nollywood actor, “who at the time had no political history in Surulere, no visible presence in the community, and no track record of local engagement.”

Badmus said, “Surulere has paid the price for that decision for 11 years. 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 pleas from Gbajabiamila in the
past, now Gbajabiamila should know we cannot afford a fourth-term experiment in failure.”

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

“The rejection of Desmond Elliot is now broad and emphatic– from Bank Olemo to Olawale Dawodu to Iponri, Masha and several other communities, residents are united in saying: ‘enough is enough.’”

Calling on Gbajabiamila to use his influence responsibly, the group urged him to allow a new, credible, community-rooted candidate to emerge through a transparent process.

“It would be prudent for Desmond Elliot to step aside and allow another qualified candidate to run for State Assembly Constituency 1.

“After 12 years in the House of Assembly, it may be time for him to refocus on his acting and directing career in Nollywood while Surulere gets the responsive, accessible representation it deserves.”

The stakeholders concluded by reaffirming their loyalty to the APC but insisted that loyalty must be mutual. “We will not work against our own future,” Badmus said. “If the party listens to the people and rejects imposition, Surulere will stand firmly with APC in 2027. If it does otherwise, it should be ready to bear the consequences at the polls. Enough of anyone using Nollywood fame to cajole poor constituents. Surulere people are wiser now.”

Also speaking, Sheriffdeen Ojon, a resident of Surulere, expressed displeasure at reports of a fourth-term bid for the lawmaker.

Ojon said: “I heard that Desmond Elliot is contemplating a fourth term in Surulere Constituency 1, but the people of Surulere have voiced their disapproval.

“What are his accomplishments as a member of the state House of Assembly representing Surulere? He only reaps the benefits of Mr Femi Gbajabiamila’s outstanding work in Surulere.”

Ojon further argued that Elliot’s long stay in office has been sustained mainly by Gbajabiamila’s influence rather than any tangible performance.

“Without the Chief of Staff to the President’s influence, a third term may not have been possible, given the lack of notable accomplishments after over 11 years at the state House of Assembly, where he largely depended on Gbajabiamila’s backing and achievements,” he stated.

The group urged Gbajabiamila to align with the people’s current mood. “Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, your reputation as a good listener and effective leader is well acknowledged in Surulere. We trust that the voices of your constituents will be heard and yield positive outcomes,” Ojon noted, adding that
residents “respect and admire” Gbajabiamila and “pray fervently for his success and continued good deeds.”

The stakeholders warned that insisting on Elliot in 2027, despite mounting opposition, would be interpreted as a direct affront to Surulere voters and a careless gamble with the APC’s electoral fortunes.

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