Nollywood actor turned politician, Desmond Elliot, has formally withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the Lagos House Assembly seat for Surulere 1.
It was stated that the withdrawal was directly announced by the MP on Wednesday in a video broadcast on social media.
He cited harassment of himself and his supporters as the cause for his withdrawal, claiming that his supporters were not permitted entry to the location of the primary election to vote for him.
Elliot is the incumbent lawmaker of the seat, and is competing the party’s ticket for the 2027 election alongside Barakat Odunuga.
However, speaking at the venue of the exercise, the Executive Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Bamidele Yusuf, said the atmosphere was peaceful as registration and accreditation of delegates began ahead of voting.
Yusuf disputed reports on social media that certain party members were being intimidated, claiming that the process will be transparent and credible.
He claimed the APC had earlier held its Senate and House of Representatives primary before advancing to the House of Assembly contest.
Meanwhile, it would be recalled that the fourth-term desire of Elliot to represent Surulere 1 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly has produced conflict between him and the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Gbajabiamila is believed to have backed the immediate past Lagos Special Adviser on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, to replace Elliot in the Assembly.
The action was apparently part of attempts to boost women and gender inclusion in politics.
The decision was said to have disturbed Elliot, who is determined to test his popularity during the APC House of Assembly primaries.
Sources who spoke with Vanguard said the lawmaker’s campaign for a fourth term suffered a setback after President Tinubu allegedly refused calls by important personalities sent to urge him on Elliot’s behalf.
