Surulere community leaders warn Gbajabiamila against forcing Desmond Elliot's fourth-term bid

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a coalition of Surulere stakeholders has called on the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to refrain from imposing Desmond Elliot for a fourth term as a member representing Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

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The group argues that the continued imposition of an unpopular candidate would deliberately undermine the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Surulere and disregard the wishes of the people, as stated by the Surulere Accountability Front, SAF, in a statement by Olanrewaju Badmus.

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According to the group, Desmond Elliot's 11 years in office have been marked by underperformance, detachment from grassroots realities, character deficiency, and overreliance on the record of others, describing his tenure as a "wasted opportunity".

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The Surulere Accountability Front recalled that in 2015, Kabir Lawal was denied the party ticket for the Surulere Constituency 1 seat in favour of Desmond Elliot, a Nollywood actor with no political history in Surulere at the time.

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Olanrewaju Badmus noted that Surulere has paid the price for that decision for 11 years, with the constituency being handed over to someone who was never part of the local political structure and has consistently failed to justify the confidence reposed in him.

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Badmus stated that the people of Surulere voted for Desmond Elliot in the past due to pleas from Gbajabiamila, but now it is time for Gbajabiamila to know that they cannot afford a fourth-term experiment in failure.

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The group emphasized that if the APC truly wants to win elections in Surulere, it must stop imposing failure on the people, with the rejection of Desmond Elliot being broad and emphatic across various communities.

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The stakeholders called on Gbajabiamila to use his influence responsibly and allow a new, credible, community-rooted candidate to emerge through a transparent process, urging Desmond Elliot to step aside and refocus on his acting and directing career in Nollywood.

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After 12 years in the House of Assembly, the group believes it may be time for Desmond Elliot to allow Surulere to get the responsive, accessible representation it deserves, with the stakeholders concluding that loyalty to the APC must be mutual.

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Olanrewaju Badmus warned that if the party listens to the people and rejects imposition, Surulere will stand firmly with the APC in 2027, but if it does otherwise, it should be ready to bear the consequences at the polls.

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Sheriffdeen Ojon, a resident of Surulere, expressed displeasure at reports of a fourth-term bid for Desmond Elliot, questioning the lawmaker's accomplishments as a member of the state House of Assembly representing Surulere.

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Ojon argued that Desmond Elliot's long stay in office has been sustained mainly by Gbajabiamila's influence rather than any tangible performance, stating that without the Chief of Staff to the President's influence, a third term may not have been possible.

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The group urged Gbajabiamila to align with the people's current mood, acknowledging his reputation as a good listener and effective leader, and expressing trust that the voices of his constituents will be heard and yield positive outcomes.

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Sheriffdeen Ojon noted that residents respect and admire Gbajabiamila and pray fervently for his success and continued good deeds, while warning that insisting on Elliot in 2027 would be a direct affront to Surulere voters and a careless gamble with the APC's electoral fortunes.