Fresh Twist In Lagos Politics As Desmond Elliot Rejects Claims Of Withdrawal Talks

 Desmond Elliot, the lawmaker representing Surulere 1 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has denied reports claiming that leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, are supporting former Lagos Special Adviser on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, to replace him in the Assembly.

Elliot, who is seeking a fourth term in the Lagos State House of Assembly, made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Dailyprogramme.

Addressing rumours that Gbajabiamila and other APC leaders were backing Odunuga-Bakare against him, the actor-turned-politician insisted that no party leader, including the President’s Chief of Staff, had asked him to withdraw from the race ahead of the party primaries.

According to him, Gbajabiamila never requested that he step aside, revealing that he even travelled to Abuja after declaring his intention to contest in order to personally inform his political leader.

Elliot said he remains committed to serving the people and believes both the party leadership and his constituents will ultimately determine his political future.

He added that President Tinubu has consistently maintained that the people should decide whether an elected representative deserves another term in office.

The lawmaker also alleged that members of his political camp in Surulere were facing intimidation and appealed to party leaders to intervene.

He warned that politicians who truly enjoy grassroots support should not resort to intimidating opponents or supporters during the political process.