Tension in Lagos as APC Lawmaker Who Refused to Step Down Raises Alarm over Withdrawal of Security Aides

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliott, has alleged intimidation, coercion and political victimisation ahead of the forthcoming primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Surulere, Lagos.

In a viral video circulated on Sunday, the lawmaker accused unnamed party leaders and local government officials of allegedly threatening party members and backing a preferred aspirant before the primaries scheduled for May 20, 2026.

Elliott claimed that some local government officials were allegedly removed from their positions because of their support for him.

According to him, the political atmosphere within the Surulere chapter of the APC had become tense due to alleged attempts to force party members to support certain candidates.

“Intimidation, coercion, twisting and forcing people to follow their own candidate is what is existing today in Surulere,” he said.

“Telling them that they will not be beneficiaries of some empowerment that is coming some other time. Please, this is not done and should not be done.”

The actor-turned-politician alleged that local government leaders openly backed another aspirant long before the commencement of the primaries.

“It is bad enough that the LGA and the local government already took a side months ago. The local government already took a side to support a particular aspirant,” he stated.

Elliott further claimed that many individuals associated with him had allegedly suffered consequences because of their political alignment.

“We’ve been intimidated so much so that a lot of people from the local government have been fired because they follow me,” he alleged.

The lawmaker also disclosed that his security personnel had allegedly been withdrawn under unclear circumstances.

“My security personnel was taken away from me yesterday for reasons best known to them. Now I am left alone to myself. What have I done?” he queried.

Elliott further alleged that some individuals were planning to mobilise people from outside Surulere to disrupt the primary election.

“They are coming out to fight us. They want to bring people from outside and from within to cause mayhem and trouble,” he claimed.

He appealed to APC leaders and stakeholders to investigate the situation and ensure that the primaries are conducted peacefully and transparently.

“I want to ask our party chieftains, please investigate this matter,” he said.

Despite the grievances, Elliott insisted that he remained loyal to the APC and would support whoever emerges victorious if the process is free and fair.

“By the grace of God, if I, Desmond Olusola Elliott, win, Alhamdulillah. If I lose, I will throw my support behind the winner. But please let it be under a free and fair election,” he stated.

The lawmaker also urged his supporters not to be intimidated, assuring them that adequate security would be provided during the exercise.