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  • Desmond Elliot Withdraws From APC Primary After Drama at Lagos Venue

    Lawmaker and Nollywood actor Desmond Elliot has officially withdrawn from the APC Lagos House of Assembly primary for Surulere 1 following tension and controversy at the polling venue.

    Elliot announced his withdrawal on Wednesday after arriving at the Paddington Mini Stadium alongside his supporters and political associates.

    Supporters allegedly denied entry

    Speaking to journalists at the venue, the lawmaker alleged that several of his supporters were prevented from gaining access to the polling area despite repeated appeals to electoral officials.

    According to him, attempts to resolve the situation peacefully were unsuccessful, leading to growing tension around the exercise.

    The election was eventually disrupted as protests broke out over the alleged exclusion of some party members from the process.

    Desmond speaks on withdrawal

    In a video that later surfaced online, Elliot said he decided to step down from the race to avoid violence and protect lives.

    “I want to officially announce my withdrawal from this particular race, good luck, thank you, and God bless you,” he said.

    His supporters were also seen leaving the venue peacefully alongside him.

    Fresh controversy after apology to Gbajabiamila

    The development comes hours after Elliot publicly apologised to Femi Gbajabiamila during an interview on TVC’s Your View.

    The apology followed recent comments by Gbajabiamila, who revealed that President Bola Tinubu nearly sanctioned him over intelligence reports linking Elliot to the Lagos Assembly speakership crisis involving Mudashiru Obasa.

    Gbajabiamila stated that he denied the allegation at the time.

    Tension rocks APC primary venue

    Wednesday’s primary election was eventually stalled as tensions escalated at the venue over complaints of intimidation and alleged exclusion of party loyalists.

    Elliot maintained that he would not allow any political contest to lead to violence or loss of lives.

  • Desmond Elliott Cries Out Over ‘Intimidation’ as Barakat Declares for Surulere APC Ticket

    The battle for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Surulere Constituency I of the Lagos State House of Assembly has intensified after actor-turned-lawmaker Desmond Elliott alleged intimidation and political victimisation ahead of the party’s direct primary scheduled for May 20.

    The lawmaker, who is seeking a fourth term in office, raised concerns in a viral video on Sunday, claiming that some APC members supporting him were allegedly being pressured to back another aspirant.

    Desmond Elliott Raises Alarm

    Elliott alleged that some of his supporters working within the local government system had allegedly lost their jobs because of their political stance.

    He also claimed that his security aides were withdrawn without explanation, describing the development as disturbing ahead of the APC primary.

    The lawmaker, however, appealed to his supporters not to be intimidated and urged party members to ensure a peaceful and transparent primary election process.

    “I appeal for a free and fair primary. Nobody should be intimidated,” Elliott said in the video circulating online.

    Barakat Declares, Says Aspirants Stepped Down

    Meanwhile, Barrister Barakat Olawunmi Odunuga-Bakare, popularly known as BBA, officially declared her ambition during a gathering held at The Stable in Bode Thomas, Surulere.

    Speaking at the event, Barakat stated that other aspirants in the race had stepped down to support her ambition, leaving Elliott as the only remaining challenger.

    “The others stepped down and are supporting me and they’re all here, but the only person that didn’t step down and insisted on going to the primaries is Hon. Desmond Elliott,” she said.

    “I wish him all the best, and I wish myself luck too. I’m praying that on Wednesday, I emerge as the APC candidate.”

    Major Blow Hits Elliott’s Camp

    The declaration event also witnessed a major political twist after Bless Koye, who served as Director-General of Desmond Elliott’s fourth-term campaign organisation, publicly defected to Barakat’s camp.

    Koye openly announced his support for Barakat during the event, a move that immediately sparked reactions among party supporters in Surulere.

    Barakat, a lawyer and former Special Adviser on Housing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is believed to have secured backing from influential APC stakeholders ahead of the primary.

    Primary Battle Tightens

    Political observers say the Surulere APC primary has now become one of the most closely watched assembly contests in Lagos State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    While Elliott is banking on his incumbency and political structure within the constituency, Barakat appears to be gaining momentum with endorsements and growing support from party leaders and grassroots mobilisers.

    Party members in the constituency have meanwhile been urged to maintain peace as the APC prepares for Wednesday’s direct primary election.

  • Gbajabiamila Reveals How Desmond Elliot Nearly Cost Him Chief of Staff Position Amid Obasa Crisis

    Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed that he almost lost his position during the political crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly over the speakership tussle involving Mudashiru Obasa.

    Gbajabiamila made the disclosure on Thursday during a constituency stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos while addressing the controversy surrounding actor-turned-lawmaker Desmond Elliot.

    Tinubu Confronted Me Over Desmond Elliot

    According to Gbajabiamila, President Tinubu personally summoned him to Abuja during the peak of the Assembly crisis over allegations linking Desmond Elliot to moves aimed at destabilising the Lagos Assembly leadership.

    “I almost lost my job because of Desmond Elliot last year. You can go and verify,” he said.

    He explained that the President questioned him directly because of his close political relationship with the Surulere lawmaker.

    “Mr President called me to his study in Abuja and said, ‘I hear this Desmond is your boy.’ I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ He then said Desmond was among those causing problems in the Lagos State House of Assembly,” Gbajabiamila stated.

    I Defended Him Before Tinubu

    The Chief of Staff said he immediately defended Elliot before the President, insisting that the lawmaker was not among those allegedly involved in attempts to destabilise the Assembly leadership.

    “I told the President that Desmond was not part of them, but the President insisted and told me to call him to order,” he added.

    Gbajabiamila disclosed that after the meeting, he reached out to Elliot and warned him to avoid being linked to the crisis in any way.

    “Three days later, the Director-General called me and said there was a serious issue, that my name was everywhere as the person supporting Desmond to push for impeachment,” he said.

    Gbajabiamila Says Elliot Ignored Advice

    The former Speaker of the House of Representatives further claimed he instructed Elliot to publicly deny involvement in the alleged impeachment plot, but the lawmaker failed to do so.

    “I told Desmond to go and make a public statement that he was not part of them, but till today he has not done that,” he stated.

    Gbajabiamila added that his long-standing relationship with President Tinubu eventually helped him survive the controversy.

    “If not for the kind of relationship I have with the President today, I probably would not still be here as Chief of Staff,” he said.

    Fresh Political Battle Looms

    The revelation comes amid reports that Gbajabiamila is backing Barakat Odunuga-Bakare against Desmond Elliot ahead of the next political contest for the Surulere constituency seat under the ruling APC.

    The Lagos Assembly crisis surrounding Mudashiru Obasa generated widespread political tension within the APC and sparked debates over power struggles within the party structure in the state.