Desmond Elliott alleges intimidation ahead of APC Surulere primaries

Desmond Elliott, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has raised concerns over alleged intimidation, coercion, and political victimisation ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Surulere, Lagos.

In a video that went viral on Sunday, the lawmaker accused certain unnamed party leaders and local government officials of threatening members and endorsing a preferred candidate before the primaries slated for May 20, 2026.

Elliott alleged that some local government officials lost their positions due to their support for him. He said the political climate within the Surulere APC chapter had grown increasingly tense, with claims that members were being pressured to back specific aspirants.

“Intimidation, coercion, twisting and forcing people to follow their own candidate is what is existing today in Surulere,” he said.

“Telling them that they will not be beneficiaries of some empowerment that is coming some other time. Please, this is not done and should not be done.”

The actor-turned-politician further claimed that local government authorities had already declared support for another aspirant months before the primaries began.

“It is bad enough that the LGA and the local government already took a side months ago. The local government already took a side to support a particular aspirant,” he stated.

He also alleged that several of his associates had faced repercussions because of their affiliation with him.

“We’ve been intimidated so much so that a lot of people from the local government have been fired because they follow me,” he alleged.

Elliott added that his security detail was withdrawn under unclear circumstances.

“My security personnel was taken away from me yesterday for reasons best known to them. Now I am left alone to myself. What have I done?” he queried.

He also claimed there were plans to bring in individuals from outside Surulere to disrupt the primaries.

“They are coming out to fight us. They want to bring people from outside and from within to cause mayhem and trouble,” he claimed.

Elliott called on APC leaders and stakeholders to look into the matter and ensure a peaceful and transparent primary process.

“I want to ask our party chieftains, please investigate this matter,” he said.

Despite his complaints, he reaffirmed his loyalty to the party, stating that he would support whoever wins, provided the election is conducted fairly.

“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 under a free and fair election,” he stated.

He also encouraged his supporters to remain steadfast and not give in to intimidation, assuring them that adequate security arrangements would be in place during the exercise.