There could be a strong political battle for the Surulere legislative seat as a coalition of aggrieved stakeholders has openly rejected the fourth-term ambition of Desmond Elliot, lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
In a hard-hitting statement released on Wednesday, the Surulere Accountability Forum, through its spokesman Mr Olanrewaju Badmus, accused the actor-turned-politician of poor performance after three terms in office, declaring that the constituency deserves better leadership.
The group said a cross-section of community leaders, youth groups, small-business operators, and civil society organisations carried out a detailed review of Elliot’s legislative record and found it lacking in impact, innovation, and responsiveness to local needs.
They alleged that his tenure has delivered few visible projects and failed to tackle key issues such as infrastructure decay, youth unemployment, and weak primary healthcare systems.
“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.
“Three terms should have produced clear, measurable progress.
“Instead, we have experienced stagnation, recycled ideas, and little evidence of policy leadership that responds to Surulere’s evolving challenges,” Badmus said.
The group insisted its position is rooted in accountability, not personal attacks, while warning against attempts to twist its message.
“Leadership must remain accountable, renewable, and reflective of the evolving aspirations of the people.
Speaking further, he noted that the group “finds it necessary to address attempts by certain quarters to misrepresent this stance as being reactionary or tied to recent developments.”
Calling for a total reset, the forum urged residents and party stakeholders to rally behind fresh faces with bold ideas capable of transforming Surulere.
“As stakeholders, the forum affirms its commitment to upholding democratic values, promoting inclusive participation in leadership and ensuring that the voice of the people remains a priority.
“The group further calls on well-meaning residents and supporters of democracy to stand firm in ensuring that Surulere is taken to greater heights.
“By putting forward a candidate with fresh ideas and the ambition to take Surulere to greater heights,” he added.
Just a day earlier, scores of residents and APC stakeholders staged a mass rally, demanding for Elliot to emerge as the party’s consensus candidate.
