Amanze Chinonye
For more than a decade, Desmond Elliot’s political career has reflected a familiar pattern in Lagos politics, where elite backing, party structure, and strategic endorsements often shape electoral survival as much as grassroots popularity.
Now, as the 2027 elections approach, that arrangement appears to be under significant strain.
The Nollywood actor-turned-lawmaker, who has represented Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2015, is facing mounting resistance within the All Progressives Congress (APC). Internal party dynamics, shifting loyalties, and emerging challengers are reshaping what was once considered a secure political base.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAt the centre of the unfolding development is a widening contest over succession in Surulere one that has drawn in influential political actors and exposed deeper tensions within the constituency’s ruling party structure.
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A Political Rise Built on Elite Endorsement
Desmond Elliot’s entry into elective politics in 2015 was not the product of a long grassroots political apprenticeship, but rather a rapid ascent backed by influential figures within the APC.
His emergence as the party’s candidate for Surulere Constituency I was widely linked to elite support within Lagos politics, including backing from senior party leaders whose influence in the constituency has historically shaped electoral outcomes.
From the outset, Elliot’s political trajectory was defined by strong institutional backing rather than independently built ward-level structures a factor that continues to shape criticism of his long tenure in office.
A coalition known as the Surulere Accountability Front has emerged as a vocal critic of his fourth-term ambition, arguing that his legislative career has been marked by detachment from grassroots realities and overreliance on elite political sponsorship.
While Elliot’s supporters dispute these claims and point to constituency interventions and legislative experience, the debate has intensified broader questions about political representation and accountability in Surulere.
EndSARS and the Turning Point in Public Perception
One of the most defining moments in Elliot’s political career came during the 2020 EndSARS protests, a nationwide youth-led movement against police brutality.
At a highly sensitive moment marked by public anger and grief following violent confrontations, Elliot made remarks in the Lagos State House of Assembly warning about the influence of social media on young Nigerians.
The comments triggered immediate backlash, particularly among young people who viewed them as dismissive of the realities of the protests and the broader demand for reform.
For critics, the episode deepened perceptions of a disconnect between Elliot and a significant segment of the constituency’s youth population.
Although the lawmaker has continued his legislative duties since then, the incident remains a recurring reference point in public debates about his political relevance and responsiveness.
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Internal APC Realignment and the Battle for Succession
The most significant challenge to Elliot’s fourth-term ambition is now emerging from within the APC itself.
Political developments in Surulere indicate growing support for a new aspirant, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, a former Special Adviser on Housing to the Lagos State Government, whose entry into the race has altered the internal balance of power.
Her emergence has triggered a realignment within sections of the party structure in the constituency, transforming Elliot’s re-election bid from a routine contest into a competitive internal struggle.
Although there has been no official confirmation of a breakdown in relations between Elliot and key party figures, including Femi Gbajabiamila, shifting alignments within Surulere APC have fuelled speculation about declining elite consensus around the incumbent lawmaker.
Reports within political circles further suggest that attempts by intermediaries to secure presidential intervention on Elliot’s behalf were unsuccessful, with President Bola Tinubu reportedly insisting that party stakeholders in Surulere should determine the candidate through the primary process.
The development is widely interpreted as a signal that the traditional weight of elite endorsement may no longer be sufficient to guarantee political continuity in the constituency.
A Defining Test for Lagos Political Structure
As internal contestation intensifies, Elliot has made public appeals for reconciliation and support from party leaders, framing his position as one of loyalty and continuity within the APC structure.
The optics of a three-term legislator seeking renewed endorsement in the face of organised internal opposition underscore the shifting realities within Surulere politics.
While he retains pockets of support within the constituency, the balance of political momentum appears increasingly contested, with emerging challengers and realigned party interests reshaping the field ahead of the primaries.
Beyond the immediate contest, the Surulere political struggle has become a broader reflection of changing dynamics within Lagos politics where longstanding assumptions about influence, loyalty, and political protection are being tested by internal dissent and evolving party calculations.
The outcome of the APC primary in Surulere is now expected to serve as a critical indicator of how far those dynamics have shifted, and whether established political structures can still determine outcomes in an increasingly competitive internal party environment.
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2027: Tinubu Reportedly Rejects Lobbyists Backing Elliot’s Fourth-Term Bid
The political tension surrounding Desmond Elliot’s fourth-term ambition intensified further following reports that President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly declined lobbying efforts seeking to secure support for the lawmaker’s return to the Lagos State House of Assembly.
According to multiple Presidency sources, the President rebuffed several separate appeals from influential individuals who sought intervention in Elliot’s favour ahead of the APC primary in Surulere Constituency I.
The reported lobbying effort included approaches by different political figures and intermediaries, all of whom were said to have failed to shift the President’s position.
Sources claim that President Tinubu maintained a consistent stance, insisting on respect for internal party democracy and deferring to the decision of Surulere APC stakeholders, who are reportedly backing Barakat Odunuga-Bakare as Elliot’s potential successor.
The President was also said to have referenced the influence of party leadership in the constituency, particularly the role of Femi Gbajabiamila, describing him as a key figure in Surulere APC politics and central to Elliot’s initial political emergence in 2015.
In accounts attributed to Presidency sources, Tinubu recalled that Elliot’s entry into politics came after an intervention linked to the 2015 Lagos Assembly race, when he was asked to accommodate the actor within the party structure. It was further suggested that Gbajabiamila played a central role in mobilising support that enabled Elliot’s three-term tenure.
Against this backdrop, the President was said to have resisted calls to override local party consensus, maintaining that the APC primary should determine the candidate based on political strength within the constituency.
He reportedly rejected suggestions that external influence should determine the outcome, instead insisting that candidates must test their support at the primary level.
The President was also quoted in accounts from the meetings as warning against political imposition, drawing parallels with broader governance tensions in the country where disregard for local sentiment has triggered instability.
Despite the reported rebuffs, sources say Elliot is still banking on renewed intervention from a close presidential ally and a serving senator, hoping for a possible reconsideration ahead of the Surulere primary scheduled for May 2026.
Meanwhile, the Surulere Accountability Front (SAF) has intensified its opposition to Elliot’s fourth-term bid, describing his 12-year tenure as marked by poor representation and weak grassroots connection.
The group insists that growing public sentiment in the constituency reflects a demand for change rather than continuity.
As the APC primary approaches, Surulere has become a focal point in Lagos politics not merely for the contest between two candidates, but for what it reveals about shifting power structures, internal party democracy, and the limits of political patronage in determining electoral survival.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
