Lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, has raised concerns over alleged intimidation, coercion and the withdrawal of his security aides ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) direct primaries in the area.
In a video shared on his X account, Elliot alleged that some party members supporting his political ambition had been victimised and pressured in the build-up to the exercise.
The former Nollywood actor praised the leadership of the APC and President Bola Tinubu for approving direct primaries nationwide, describing the process as a true test of each aspirant’s popularity among party members.
According to Desmond Elliot, however, some individuals in Surulere were attempting to influence the outcome of the primaries through intimidation and arm-twisting tactics.
“I want to bring to your notice that intimidation, coercion, arm-twisting and forcing people to follow their own candidate is what exists today in Surulere,” he said.
Elliot further alleged that some APC loyalists were threatened with exclusion from empowerment programmes if they refused to support a particular aspirant.
He described such actions as unfair, stressing that all contestants belonged to the same political party and should be treated equally.
The lawmaker also claimed that several local government workers allegedly lost their jobs because of their political association with him.
“We’ve been intimidated so much that a lot of people from the local government have been fired because they follow me. That should not be allowed,” he stated.
Elliot additionally accused local government authorities of openly supporting another aspirant months before the primary election.
Speaking on his personal safety, he disclosed that his security personnel had allegedly been withdrawn without any explanation.
“My security personnel were taken away from me yesterday for reasons best known to them. Now I am left alone to myself. What have I done?” he asked.
The Surulere representative also warned against alleged plans to disrupt the APC primaries with violence, claiming that some individuals were being mobilised to cause unrest in the constituency.
“They want to bring people from outside and from within to cause mayhem and to cause trouble. Please allow for a free, fair election on the 20th of May, 2026,” he said.
Elliot appealed to party leaders to investigate the allegations and urged his supporters not to give in to intimidation ahead of the primaries.
“To all you lovers of Desmond Olusola Elliott, who believe in accessibility and fair play, do not be intimidated. Come out on that day because there will be maximum security guaranteed from the party,” he added.
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