Fresh controversy has erupted within the Surulere chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, is attempting to impose a preferred candidate on party members ahead of the forthcoming primaries.
The development has sparked outrage among party stakeholders and supporters of Lagos State House of Assembly member, Desmond Elliott, who accused powerful interests within the party of intimidation, political victimisation, and manipulation of the primary process.
In a statement issued by aggrieved stakeholders in Surulere, the group alleged that political structures within the constituency were being systematically reconfigured to favour a preferred aspirant allegedly backed by Gbajabiamila.
The stakeholders claimed that individuals perceived to be loyal to Elliott had become targets of political retaliation, including alleged removal from appointments and exclusion from party activities.
According to the statement, the situation has created anxiety and tension among party members ahead of the primaries.
The group further alleged that Elliott’s security personnel had been withdrawn under suspicious circumstances, raising concerns over his safety amid the escalating political crisis.
“Already, Desmond Elliott’s security details have been removed, putting his life at risk and in danger,” the statement alleged.
The controversy intensified after a viral video emerged showing Elliott openly accusing unnamed party leaders and local government officials of intimidation and coercion in the buildup to the primaries.
In the video, the lawmaker alleged that some local government officials had openly aligned themselves with a preferred aspirant long before the primaries.
“Intimidation, coercion, twisting and forcing people to follow their own candidate is what exists today in Surulere,” Elliott stated.
“Telling them that they will not be beneficiaries of some empowerment programme that is coming at another time — this is not right and should not happen,” he added.
The lawmaker also alleged that several individuals associated with him had lost their positions because of their political loyalty to him.
“We’ve been intimidated so much that a lot of people from the local government have been fired because they support me,” he claimed.
Elliott further disclosed that his security aides had allegedly been withdrawn without explanation.
“More so, my security personnel were taken away from me yesterday for reasons best known to them. Now I am left all by myself. What have I done?” he queried.
The Surulere lawmaker also alleged that certain individuals were planning to instigate violence during the primaries by bringing in outsiders to disrupt the exercise.
“They are coming out to fight us. They want to bring people from outside and from within to cause mayhem and trouble,” Elliott alleged while appealing for peaceful conduct during the primaries scheduled for May 20, 2026.
He called on party leaders and stakeholders to investigate the allegations and ensure that the primaries are conducted in a transparent and credible manner.
“I want to ask our party chieftains, please investigate this matter,” he appealed.
Despite his grievances, Elliott maintained that he remained loyal to the APC and would support whoever emerges victorious, provided the process is free and fair.
“By the grace of God, if I, Desmond Olusola Elliott, win, Alhamdulillah. If I lose, I will throw my support behind the winner. But please let it be through a free and fair election,” he said.
The lawmaker also urged his supporters not to be intimidated, insisting that adequate security would be available during the exercise.
Observers say the allegations have exposed deepening cracks within the Surulere APC and could further escalate tensions within the ruling party ahead of the primaries.
