For Surulere Constituency I for Lagos State, political wahala don dey. Coalition of stakeholders wey dem call Surulere Accountability Forum don come out say dem no support Desmond Elliot bid to return for fourth term as member for Lagos State House of Assembly. Dem talk say three terms wey the lawmaker don serve no bring tangible progress for the area.
Olanrewaju Badmus, wey be spokesman for the forum, yarn say community leaders, youth groups, small business owners and civil society organisations don assess Elliot legislative record and find am weak. According to Badmus, the lawmaker deliver minimal constituency projects and show limited impact for inside the Assembly. Him talk say Elliot lack creativity and drive to tackle infrastructure decay, youth unemployment and poor primary healthcare for Surulere.
“We no dey oppose any person on principle,” Badmus talk. “But we no go endorse leadership wey no produce tangible improvement for our wards. Three terms suppose don produce clear, measurable progress. Instead, we see stagnation, recycled ideas, and small evidence of policy leadership wey fit answer Surulere challenges.”
The forum insist say their position no be from malice or personal bias, but from belief say no individual bigger than the system. Dem talk say leadership must remain accountable, renewable, and reflect the people evolving aspirations. Badmus also address say some people dey try misrepresent their stance as reactionary or tie am to recent developments.
But as the forum dey talk, another group for Surulere don show support for Elliot. Scores of All Progressives Congress members and residents gather for Teslim Balogun Stadium and march through Shitta Roundabout with placards. Inscriptions for the placards include “We Reject Imposition in Surulere,” “Let the People Decide,” and “No Godfather Can Decide for Us.”
The protesters call on party leaders to adopt Elliot as APC candidate for Surulere Constituency I, citing his performance and grassroots connection. Organiser Oludare Khalid-Willican talk say the protest follow rumours say party leaders dey consider endorse consensus candidate. Him talk say residents and party members prefer Elliot because of his “impactful representation.”
“The people suppose determine who represent dem,” Khalid-Willican yarn. “Elliot don serve us well and no suppose replace am.” Him add say the lawmaker don facilitate jobs, empowerment, and social interventions for the constituency.
Another leader for the protest, Alero Asolo, describe Elliot as “grassroots politician” wey maintain close ties with residents. “Him know the people, their needs, and challenges,” Asolo talk. “We no dey here for financial gain; we dey here because of work wey him don do.” She point to improvements for electricity, education, healthcare, and infrastructure as evidence of Elliot contributions.
Resident Kudus Olayiwola warn say if APC deny Elliot the party ticket, e fit affect their electoral chances for the constituency. “We no dey just vote for party; we dey vote for the right candidate,” Olayiwola talk. “If dem deny am ticket and e decide contest elsewhere, many of us go support am.”
The protest end for residence of Kabir Lawal, APC coordinator for Renewed Hope Ambassadors for Surulere. Lawal address the demonstrators and urge calm. Him dismiss claims of imposed candidate, talk say no consensus don reach within the party.
“To the best of my knowledge, no candidate don endorse,” Lawal talk. “Where no consensus dey, the party go conduct primary election according to democratic principles.” Him appeal to party members to remain united ahead of elections, stress say cohesion important for electoral success.
Meanwhile, political observers note say Elliot now face direct contest from Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, former Special Adviser on Housing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Odunuga-Bakare resign her position to enter the race. Dem talk say she enjoy strong backing from the Presidency and na protégé of Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Elliot earlier advantage, wey come from his celebrity status and support from entertainment industry figures like Funsho Adeola, dey diminish according to reports. Critics for the constituency argue say as non-indigene wey grow up for Surulere, Elliot don overstay him welcome. Party faithful insist say three terms suppose suffice.
Surulere no be only hotspot for Lagos political scene. Across the state, incumbents dey face strong challenges. For Epe 1, Abiodun Tobun face Olanrewaju Olaleye Ogundele. For Badagry, Solomon SaanuBonu challenged by Joseph Henugbe. For Oshodi/Isolo 1, Stephen Ogundipe compete against Governor Sanwo-Olu SSA on Sports, Adebanji Atewogboye, and local executive secretary Mayowa Alakija.
Other contests for Ibeju-Lekki and Surulere 2 similarly show intense competition. With high-profile contests dey emerge across Lagos, political terrain for 2027 elections dey shape up for fierce battles. The fight for control of Lagos State Assembly go likely be unpredictable as different factions dey position themselves.
As the debate continue, one thing clear: Surulere Constituency I don become battleground where competing visions for representation dey clash. The coming months go show whether Elliot go secure fourth term or fresh face go take the mantle.
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