A coalition of political stakeholders and residents in Surulere has urged Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila to refrain from backing Desmond Elliot's bid for a fourth term in the Lagos State House of Assembly. The group, calling itself the Surulere Accountability Front (SAF), said Elliot's 11-year tenure has been marked by underperformance, detachment from grassroots issues, and reliance on Gbajabiamila's influence. In a statement issued Friday and signed by Olanrewaju Badmus, the coalition described Elliot's emergence in 2015—when Kabir Lawal was reportedly sidelined—as a decision that has cost the constituency dearly. "Surulere has paid the price for that decision for 11 years," Badmus said, adding that Elliot was not part of the local political structure and has failed to deliver. Residents argue that Elliot's re-elections were due more to Gbajabiamila's backing than personal achievement. Sheriffdeen Ojon, a resident, questioned Elliot's accomplishments, stating, "He only reaps the benefits of Gbajabiamila's outstanding work in Surulere." The group acknowledged Gbajabiamila's responsiveness but warned that imposing Elliot again in 2027 would be seen as an insult to voters. They cited widespread rejection of Elliot across areas like Bank Olemoh, Olawale Dawodu, Iponri, and Masha. SAF urged the APC to allow a transparent, community-driven candidate selection, stressing that the party's future in Surulere hinges on respecting public opinion.
Desmond Elliot's political survival has long depended on proximity to power, not performance in office. Eleven years without notable legislative impact would be indefensible in any constituency, but in Surulere, where Gbajabiamila's influence props up his position, it raises a deeper issue: loyalty to individuals is being mistaken for loyalty to the party. If APC ignores this pushback, it risks turning its base into a bloc that votes against the party in protest. The real test is whether internal democracy matters more than political godfatherism.
