Lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, has vowed to challenge the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election after losing the party’s ticket.
Elliot was defeated by Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who reportedly secured 11,385 votes, while Elliot polled 270 votes across the constituency wards in the exercise held in Lagos.
Odunuga-Bakare’s victory has been linked in political circles to backing from influential party figures, including the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Reacting to the result, Elliot alleged that the process was marred by violence, intimidation, and irregularities, claiming that several of his supporters were attacked and prevented from voting.
He said he did not withdraw from the race but instructed his agents to step back from participating in what he described as a compromised process.
According to him, he remains a loyal party member and will pursue an official appeal, stressing that the APC has provided room for internal dispute resolution.
“The party has given us an opportunity to appeal, and we are taking that route,” he said, adding that politics should not be a “do-or-die affair.”
Elliot also alleged that some of his supporters were disenfranchised, claiming that voting arrangements were abruptly altered and access restricted during the primaries.
He maintained that while no fatalities were recorded, there were reports of injuries and hospital visits among his supporters.
The lawmaker insisted that his withdrawal was only from the participation of agents during the voting process, not from the race itself, and reaffirmed his commitment to continue serving his constituents.
The APC leadership is yet to issue an official response to the allegations as party stakeholders are expected to review the conduct of the primaries amid growing tension in Surulere politics.
