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By Sunday Ani
A coalition of stakeholders under the auspices of Surulere Accountability Front (SAF), has called on the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, not to support the fourth term bid of the lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot.
The stakeholders said such a move would undermine the All Progressives Congress (APC) and disregard the wishes of the people of Surulere Constituency I.
The group made its position known in a statement by its spokesman, Mr Olanrewaju Badmus.
Badmus said the statement reflected the views of concerned residents, community leaders and political stakeholders in the constituency.
He described Elliot’s 11-year tenure as a wasted opportunity marked by underperformance, detachment from the grassroots realities, character deficiency and overreliance on the record of others.
He recalled that in 2015, Alhaji Kabir Lawal was denied the APC ticket for Surulere Constituency I, adding that Elliot, a Nollywood actor, was instead fielded despite lacking political history in the area.
He said Elliot had no visible presence in Surulere at the time and lacked a track record of local engagement. “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,” he stated.
He cautioned that insisting on Elliot’s candidacy in 2027 could affect the APC’s electoral chances in Surulere.
“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 and Olawale Dawodu to Iponri, Masha and several other communities.
“Residents are united in saying enough is enough,” he added.
He urged Gbajabiamila to allow a new candidate to emerge through a transparent and credible process.
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He reaffirmed the stakeholders’ loyalty to the APC but emphasised that such loyalty must be reciprocal.
“We will not work against our own future. If the party listens to the people and rejects imposition, Surulere will stand firmly with the 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,” he said.
Also speaking, a resident, Mr Sheriffdeen Ojon, expressed dissatisfaction with reports of Elliot’s fourth-term ambition.
“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 Femi Gbajabiamila’s outstanding work in Surulere,” he stated.
Ojon further alleged that Elliot’s continued stay in office was largely due to Gbajabiamila’s influence.
“Without the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila’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, it would be prudent for him 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,” he said.
He added that residents respect and admire Gbajabiamila and pray fervently for his success and continued good deeds.
Both Badmus and Ojon appealed to Gbajabiamila to align with the mood of constituents.
It was reported that scores of APC members and residents of Surulere 1 constituency on Tuesday marched round the streets of constituency, urging the party to adopt the incumbent lawmaker, Elliot, as its consensus candidate for the 2027 elections.
The residents, who converged on Teslim Balogun Stadium, walked round the popular Shitta Roundabout and adjoining streets, holding placards with various inscriptions expressing their support for Elliot.
Mr Oludare Khalid-Willican, who led the march, said such action had become necessary following a rumoured decision by some party leaders to give the APC ticket to a supposed consensus candidate.
Khalid-Willican said that many residents had benefitted from Elliot’s good representation in the House of Assembly, adding that he had impacted many lives and facilitated many development to the area.
