Desmond Elliot rejects Lagos APC primary result, vows to challenge process

Lagos State lawmaker Desmond Elliot has rejected the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Surulere Constituency I, after losing the ticket for a return to the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Mr Elliot, insisting he will challenge the process through the party’s appeal mechanism, lost the APC ticket after Barakat Odunuga-Bakare defeated him in Wednesday’s primary election.

Mrs Odunuga-Bakare, reportedly backed by Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, polled 11,385 votes to emerge winner of the contest, while Mr Elliot secured 270 votes.

Reacting to the outcome, Mr Elliot said he was dissatisfied with how the primary was conducted and would formally appeal the result.

“We are appealing… we are not accepting this process. But the party has also, in its magnanimity, given us an opportunity to appeal,” he said.

Allegations of violence and intimidation

Mr Elliot alleged that violence, intimidation, and irregularities marred the APC primary exercise, claiming several of his supporters sustained injuries during the process.

“Nobody was killed. But a lot of people were really maimed. There are videos of people going to the hospital,” he said.

He further claimed that intimidation was reported across different wards and argued that the process did not reflect fairness.

“This is just primaries. It is not a do-or-die affair… In different wards, people are being intimidated,” Mr Elliot added.

Supporters denied access

Mr Elliot also alleged that many of his supporters were denied access to the voting venue, which influenced his rejection of the process.

“Virtually all my supporters were outside, and I kept asking, ‘Why were they not coming in?’” he said.

He questioned the speed of the process after reportedly hearing that voting would be stopped within 20 minutes.

“How can you stop in 20 minutes?” Mr Elliot queried.

The lawmaker also challenged claims that membership cards presented by some of his supporters were fake, arguing that proper verification should have been carried out.

Clarifies position on withdrawal

Mr Elliot stated that he never withdrew from the race, clarifying that he only instructed his supporters and agents to stop participating in the process due to alleged irregularities.

“The only person who can ask me to step down is the party. If the party says Desmond go down, that is when I will step down because I’m a party person,” he said.

The development highlights growing internal contestation within the APC ahead of broader political realignments in Lagos State.

Mr Elliot, a former Nollywood actor turned politician, has represented Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly and remains a notable political figure in the district.

Despite rejecting the primary process, Mr Elliot reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and his commitment to serving the people of Surulere.