Surulere APC Battle Turns Messy as Stakeholders Revolt Over Alleged Candidate Imposition
By Ranti Thomas
A fresh political storm is shaking the Surulere chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as angry stakeholders accuse powerful party figures of trying to impose a preferred candidate ahead of the Lagos State House of Assembly primaries.
The growing crisis has intensified internal tension within the party, with supporters of actor-turned-lawmaker Desmond Elliott alleging that influential interests are working behind the scenes to block his return to the Assembly despite his years in office and political structure in the constituency.
Some aggrieved members specifically pointed fingers at forces linked to former Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, accusing them of displaying what they described as “power arrogance” in the handling of Surulere politics.
During a political discussion monitored by our correspondent, one stakeholder alleged that the process had already been designed to favour a female aspirant before the primaries officially begin.
According to him, party members and political appointees were allegedly being pressured to support the preferred aspirant or risk losing political appointments and opportunities within the local government structure.
“Nobody should play God in Surulere politics. The arrogance of power must stop. Let party members decide freely,” the stakeholder said.
He further questioned why some party leaders and council officials were openly moving around with one aspirant ahead of the exercise, arguing that leaders should remain neutral until delegates vote.
The stakeholder also alleged that loyalists connected to rival aspirants had been removed from party activities and excluded from empowerment programmes organised within the local government.
At the centre of the controversy is Desmond Elliott, whose political future has become a major talking point inside Surulere APC as he seeks another term in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
While critics continue to attack his performance in office, supporters insist the opposition against him is politically motivated and aimed at stopping him from becoming a ranking lawmaker with future chances of securing principal positions in the Assembly.
Backers of the lawmaker also argued that many people wrongly expect lawmakers to personally execute projects instead of focusing on their constitutional responsibilities such as lawmaking, motions, representation, and constituency advocacy.
Supporters pointed to a detailed report titled My Surulere and I So Far, which allegedly outlined Elliott’s legislative contributions, including sponsored motions, committee work, constituency interventions, and participation in multiple bills passed into law.
The crisis has also reopened conversations about political succession and godfatherism in Surulere, with some members comparing Elliott’s situation to the long political career previously enjoyed by Gbajabiamila in the same constituency.
According to insiders, efforts to produce a consensus candidate reportedly collapsed after resistance from supporters of Elliott and other aspirants who demanded open and transparent primaries.
The stakeholder maintained that other aspirants, including Buki Afario and a younger contender identified as Leye, should also be given equal opportunities to contest without intimidation or interference.
As tension continues to rise within the Surulere APC, party members are now watching closely to see whether the primaries will deepen divisions or force a last-minute political settlement among the competing camps.