Desmond Elliot has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for the Surulere 1 seat in the Lagos state house of assembly, alleging intimidation and political pressure against his supporters.
Elliot, who currently represents Surulere 1 in the assembly, announced his withdrawal on Wednesday amid growing tension surrounding the APC primaries in the area.
The lawmaker accused some party leaders in Surulere of creating an atmosphere of coercion and victimisation aimed at forcing party members to support a preferred aspirant.
According to him, supporters of his re-election bid, including party loyalists and some local government officials, had been threatened with political consequences if they failed to align with certain interests within the party structure.
“Intimidation, coercion, twisting, and forcing people to follow their own candidate is what exists today in Surulere,” Elliot said.
In a viral video circulating online, the actor-turned-politician said his supporters were prevented from participating in the primary process across several zones in the constituency.
“In all zones, they have been intimidating and stopping us. I want to officially announce my withdrawal from this particular race,” he said.
“This is my ward; if you go outside, those are my people. They have not been allowed. I am officially announcing my withdrawal from this race.”
Elliot’s withdrawal adds to the growing controversies trailing the APC primaries in parts of the country, with several aspirants raising concerns over alleged irregularities and internal party disputes.
The lawmaker, who first won election into the Lagos assembly in 2015, has represented the Surulere 1 constituency for over a decade under the APC platform.
