Actor-turned-politician Desmond Elliot has vowed to challenge the outcome of the All Progressives Congress primary election for Surulere Constituency I after losing the party’s ticket for another term in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Elliot was defeated in Wednesday’s primary by Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who secured 11,385 votes against his 270 votes. Odunuga-Bakare is widely believed to enjoy the support of Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking after the exercise, Elliot rejected the conduct of the primary and disclosed plans to seek redress through the party’s appeal mechanism.
According to him, the process was plagued by intimidation, violence and alleged irregularities that prevented many of his supporters from participating in the vote.
“We are appealing. It is not a do-or-die affair. I’m here to serve the people,” Elliot said while addressing journalists after the primary.
The lawmaker alleged that several of his supporters sustained injuries during the exercise, although no deaths were recorded. He also claimed that many loyalists were denied entry into the voting venue.
Elliot questioned the decision to end the voting process within a short period and disputed allegations that some membership cards presented by his supporters were fake.
He further clarified that he never stepped down from the contest, insisting that only the party leadership could direct him to withdraw.
“The only person who can ask me to step down is the party,” he stated.
The APC primary in Surulere Constituency I has sparked controversy amid growing complaints from some party members over the conduct of the exercise.
