The Surulere Accountability Forum, a coalition of community leaders, youth groups, small business owners and civil society organisations, has rejected Desmond Elliot's bid for a fourth term as member for Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly. Spokesman Olanrewaju Badmus said the group assessed Elliot's legislative record and found it weak, citing minimal constituency projects and limited impact in tackling infrastructure decay, youth unemployment and poor primary healthcare. "We no dey oppose any person on principle," Badmus stated. "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 insisted their position stemmed from a belief that no individual is bigger than the system and that leadership must remain accountable and renewable.
Scores of All Progressives Congress members and residents marched through Shitta Roundabout to Teslim Balogun Stadium with placards reading "We Reject Imposition in Surulere," "Let the People Decide," and "No Godfather Can Decide for Us." Organiser Oludare Khalid-Willican said the protest followed rumours that party leaders might endorse a consensus candidate, arguing residents prefer Elliot for his impact. Another leader, Alero Asolo, called him a grassroots politician with close ties to the community and pointed to improvements in electricity, education, healthcare and infrastructure. Resident Kudus Olayiwola warned that denying Elliot the ticket could hurt the party's chances and risk losing his supporters to another platform. APC coordinator Kabir Lawal told the crowd no consensus had been reached and assured members that primaries would follow democratic principles.
The loudest voices in Surulere are not the ones in Abuja but the ones on the streets. Olanrewaju Badmus and his coalition did more than reject a candidate—they exposed how three terms can pass without leaving a mark. Desmond Elliot now faces a primary fight with Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, a move that turns a local contest into a test of whether loyalty or performance wins the day.
