Desmond Elliot appeals APC primary outcome confirmed as the Lagos lawmaker rejects his Surulere defeat and alleges violence and irregularities
Lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, has confirmed plans to challenge the outcome of the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election after losing the party’s ticket.
Also read: A season of long knives…
Desmond Elliot appeals APC primary outcome follows a decisive defeat in which Barakat Odunuga-Bakare emerged victorious with 11,385 votes, while Elliot polled 270 votes across wards in the constituency.
Odunuga-Bakare, reportedly backed by the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, secured a dominant win across multiple polling locations, according to results shared in a viral video.
Reacting to the outcome, Elliot alleged that the process was marred by violence and intimidation, claiming that some of his supporters were attacked during the exercise.
The Lagos lawmaker said he did not withdraw from the race but instructed his agents to step back from participating in the voting process due to concerns over the conduct of the primaries.
“The only person who can ask me to step down is the party,” he said, adding that the APC had provided room for appeals.
Elliot insisted that he remains committed to the party and to public service, stressing that the matter was not a “do-or-die” affair despite his rejection of the outcome.
He further alleged that several of his supporters were denied access to voting venues, describing the process as flawed and restrictive.
According to him, reports and video evidence suggest that some individuals were injured during the election, although he noted that no fatalities were recorded.
The lawmaker maintained that his decision to appeal was based on what he described as irregularities and disenfranchisement witnessed during the primary.
Also read: Desmond Elliot Declares Bold Bid for Lagos Assembly Re-Election
The APC has yet to issue an official response to the allegations at the time of this report.
