A coalition of stakeholders in Surulere, Lagos State, has rejected Desmond Elliot’s bid for a fourth term in the Lagos State House of Assembly, citing dissatisfaction with his performance in office.
The group, Surulere Accountability Forum, made its position known in a statement issued by its spokesman, Olanrewaju Badmus, who said Elliot’s three terms have not delivered the expected level of development.
According to the coalition, key issues such as infrastructure decay, youth unemployment, and inadequate primary healthcare remain unresolved, raising concerns about leadership effectiveness.
“We are not opposed to any individual on principle, but we refuse to endorse continued leadership that has not produced tangible improvements for our wards,” the statement read.
The group argued that three terms in office should have resulted in clear and measurable progress, but instead alleged that the constituency has experienced stagnation and a lack of innovative policy direction.
It further emphasized that its stance is rooted in accountability rather than personal bias, insisting that leadership must evolve to reflect the needs of the people.
“Leadership must remain accountable, renewable, and reflective of the evolving aspirations of the people,” Badmus added.
The forum called for the emergence of new candidates with fresh ideas and renewed energy to drive development in Surulere Constituency I, while also encouraging residents to remain committed to democratic values and active participation.
Despite the opposition, support for Elliot remains visible. Some residents staged a rally in Surulere on Tuesday, backing his bid for another term.
Elliot, a member of the All Progressives Congress, has represented Surulere Constituency I since 2015 and was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.
