Desmond Elliot Vows To Appeal Surulere APC Primary Outcome After Losing Ticket

Lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, has said he will appeal the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election following his defeat in the party’s ticket contest.

Elliot lost the APC ticket to Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, an aspirant reportedly backed by the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.

In the primary election held in the constituency, Odunuga-Bakare secured 11,385 votes to defeat Elliot, who polled 270 votes across the wards.

According to a breakdown of results circulated in a viral video, Odunuga-Bakare polled 1,956 votes at Owolewa Open Field, off Randle Avenue, while Elliot reportedly secured 10 votes at the same venue.

Reacting to the outcome and allegations surrounding the exercise, Elliot alleged that there was video evidence showing violence against his supporters during the primaries.

He said he did not withdraw from the race but instructed his supporters and agents to step back from participating in the voting process.

“The only person who can ask me to step down is the party. If the party says Desmond go down, that is when I will step down because I’m a party person,” he said.

“But the party has also, in its magnanimity, given us an opportunity to appeal.”

“We are appealing, and as I say, it is not a do-or-die affair. I’m here to serve the people.”

“So, I’m not going to say any more than this, other than the fact that we are not accepting this process. I am not withdrawing.”

“Why I said withdraw then is that I’m withdrawing my agents from participating in the voting process. But we are definitely appealing.”

The lawmaker maintained that the primary was marred by violence, claiming that several of his supporters were attacked.

“Nobody was killed. But a lot of people were really maimed. There are videos of people going to the hospital,” he said.

“This is just primaries. It is not a do-or-die affair. In different wards, people are being intimidated.”

Elliot also alleged that his supporters were disenfranchised and prevented from participating in the exercise.

“When I entered, I discovered that virtually all my supporters were outside, and I kept asking why they were not coming in. The next thing I heard is that in 20 minutes they’re going to stop. How can you stop in 20 minutes?” he asked.