Surulere Stakeholders Reject Desmond Elliot’s 2027 Fourth-Term Ambition

​LAGOS — The political landscape of Surulere Constituency I has been hit by a sharp divide as a coalition of local power brokers and community leaders officially rejected the fourth-term bid of actor-turned-politician, Mr. Desmond Elliot.

​Operating under the aegis of the Surulere Accountability Forum (SAF), the stakeholders issued a stinging critique of Elliot’s decade-long tenure, describing his performance as “dismal” and lacking the “creative drive” necessary to meet the modern challenges of the constituency.

​A Record Under Fire

​In a statement released on Wednesday by the forum’s spokesperson, Mr. Olanrewaju Badmus, the group argued that after three terms in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Elliot’s legislative impact has hit a plateau.

​“We are not opposed to any individual on principle, but we refuse to endorse continued leadership that has not produced tangible improvements for our wards,” Badmus stated. He cited a failure to proactively tackle infrastructure decay, rising youth unemployment, and the deteriorating state of primary healthcare within the Surulere 1 axis.

ADVERTISEMENT

​The forum, which comprises youth groups, community leaders, and small-business representatives, alleged that the constituency has experienced “stagnation and recycled ideas” rather than the policy leadership required for its evolving needs.

​The Counter-Movement

​The rejection follows a contrasting scene on Tuesday, where scores of residents and supporters within the All Progressives Congress (APC) held a mass rally in support of the lawmaker. These supporters called on party leadership—including President Bola Tinubu and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila—to adopt Elliot as a consensus candidate, praising his “impactful representation” and grassroots connection.

​However, the SAF dismissed these moves as reactionary. Badmus emphasized that the push for a new face is about the “accountability and renewability” of leadership.

​“Three terms should have produced clear, measurable progress. No individual is bigger than the system,” the statement concluded, calling for a candidate with “fresh energy” to take the mantle in 2027.