A fresh crisis is brewing within the Surulere chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations that influential party leaders are attempting to impose a preferred aspirant ahead of the Lagos State House of Assembly primaries.
The controversy has
heightened tension within the party, with aggrieved stakeholders accusing
powerful political interests of undermining internal democracy and plotting to
edge out actor-turned-politician, Desmond Elliott, despite his years of
legislative experience and grassroots support.
Some stakeholders alleged
that the growing “power arrogance” and political domination linked to the camp
of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, must be
resisted to preserve internal democracy in Surulere APC.
Speaking about the issue, a
party stakeholder alleged that the process had already been tilted in favour of
a female aspirant even before the commencement of the primaries.
The stakeholder, who said he
was only interested in fairness and justice within the APC, insisted that
aspirants should be allowed to compete freely rather than be subjected to
imposition by powerful political interests.
“Nobody should play God in
Surulere politics. The arrogance of power must stop. Party members should be
allowed to choose their candidate freely,” he said.
He alleged that appointees
and party loyalists were being intimidated and warned that they could lose
their appointments if they refused to support the preferred aspirant.
“They are scaring people and
intimidating people, especially those who have offices, that if you do not
support this lady, your appointment can be removed,” he alleged.
The stakeholder also
questioned why some party leaders and council officials were openly campaigning
with one aspirant ahead of the primaries.
“How can a council chairman
leave his work and be following an aspirant around? Leaders should create a
level playing field, not openly take sides,” he said.
He further alleged that
there was no genuine consensus arrangement within the Surulere APC, claiming
that the political structure had from the outset been directed to work for the
emergence of the female aspirant.
According to him, the
Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Sharif Balogun, had openly
declared support for the aspirant and allegedly instructed ward chairmen and
party executives to mobilise for her.
The aggrieved stakeholder
also claimed that loyalists backing rival aspirants had been removed from party
structures, while others were excluded from empowerment programmes organised
within the council.
The controversy has
reignited debate over the political future of Desmond Elliott, who is seeking
another term in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
While critics continue to
question his performance in office, supporters argue that the attacks against
him are politically motivated and aimed at preventing him from becoming a
ranking legislator capable of occupying principal positions in the Assembly.
A political commentator
familiar with the situation argued that many Nigerians misunderstand the
constitutional role of lawmakers, noting that legislators are expected to
represent constituents, sponsor bills, move motions, and attract development
projects — not personally fund major infrastructure.
He referenced a 198-page
compendium titled, “My Surulere and I So Far”, which reportedly detailed
Elliott’s legislative achievements and constituency interventions.
According to the document,
the lawmaker sponsored 11 motions, co-sponsored 42 motions, and participated in
the passage of 32 bills into law.
The compendium also listed
two bills associated with him, the Lagos State Tourism Promotion Agency Bill
and the Lagos State Public Works Corporation Bill.
Elliott was also said to
have chaired four committees and served on 12 House committees, alongside
interventions in infrastructure, health, welfare, sports, and entertainment.
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