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| Desmond Elliot. |
As political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, a coalition of stakeholders in Surulere has openly opposed the reported move by Desmond Elliot to seek a fourth term in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the group, operating under the auspices of
the Surulere Accountability Forum, declared that the lawmaker representing
Surulere Constituency I had not demonstrated sufficient impact over his three
previous terms, which culminated in 12 yrs, to justify another mandate.
The statement, signed by the forum’s spokesperson, Olanrewaju Badmus, said that
a cross-section of the constituency, including community leaders, youth
organizations, small-business operators, and civil society, had reviewed Elliot’s
performance and concluded that it fell short of expectations after 12 years.
According to the group, the constituency had witnessed
limited legislative innovations and insufficient constituency projects, with
little evidence of proactive efforts to address pressing local concerns and
needs.
“We are not driven by personal sentiments or political bias,” the statement
read. “However, leadership must be accountable and responsive. Three terms in
office should translate into visible and measurable progress. Unfortunately,
Surulere has experienced stagnation rather than transformation.”
The forum further argued that challenges such as deteriorating infrastructure, youth unemployment, and gaps in primary healthcare services require dynamic representation anchored on fresh ideas and renewed energy.
It also dismissed suggestions that its position was reactionary or influenced
by recent political developments, insisting that its stance was rooted in
long-standing concerns about representation and performance.
“Leadership is not a lifetime entitlement. It must remain renewable and
reflective of the aspirations of the people,” the statement added, urging
residents and party stakeholders to prioritize competence and innovation in the
selection of candidates for 2027.
The development comes a day after a separate group of residents and members of
the All Progressives Congress (APC) staged a rally in support of Elliot,
calling on party leaders to adopt him as a consensus candidate based on what
they described as his impactful representation.
With differing voices emerging within the constituency, Surulere’s political
landscape appears set for an intense contest as 2027 approaches.
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