Surulere stakeholders reject Desmond Elliot’s fourth-term bid as Lagos Assembly member

A coalition of stakeholders in Surulere has rejected the plan by Hon. Desmond Elliot to seek a fourth term as the lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The group, operating under the Surulere Accountability Forum, announced its position in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos by its spokesman, Olanrewaju Badmus.

Badmus said the decision followed an assessment of Elliot’s performance over three terms in office, which the coalition said fell short of expectations.

He said community leaders, youth groups, small business representatives and civil society organisations participated in the review and agreed that the constituency needs a new direction.

Badmus said that after three terms in office, residents expected clearer evidence of development and policy innovation.

He added that the area continues to grapple with infrastructure decay, youth unemployment and inadequate primary healthcare.

The coalition said its position was not driven by personal bias but by a commitment to accountability and democratic principles.

It added that leadership should reflect the evolving aspirations of residents and prioritise tangible outcomes.

Badmus urged residents and party stakeholders to support candidates with fresh ideas capable of advancing the constituency.

“As stakeholders, we remain committed to promoting inclusive participation and ensuring that leadership remains responsive to the needs of the people,” he said.

The development comes as political activities gather momentum ahead of the primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general elections.

However, the opposition to Elliot’s fourth-term bid contrasts with an earlier rally by another group of party members and residents who urged party leaders to adopt the lawmaker as a consensus candidate.