A coalition of concerned stakeholders in Surulere, operating under the banner Surulere Accountability Forum, has voiced strong opposition to Desmond Elliot’s bid for a fourth term as the member representing Surulere Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The group accused Elliot of delivering minimal constituency projects and showing limited legislative impact over his previous three terms.
The coalition made the declaration in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos by its spokesman, Mr Olanrewaju Badmus, stressing the need for fresh leadership with new energy and ideas for the constituency.
According to the group, Elliot’s tenure has been largely unsatisfactory to residents. Badmus said that community leaders, youth organizations, small-business representatives, and civil society groups had collectively assessed Elliot’s legislative record and found it lacking in innovation, policy impact, and constituency development.
He alleged that Elliot had failed to adequately address key issues such as infrastructure decay, youth unemployment, and inadequate primary healthcare services.
“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. Three terms should have produced clear, measurable progress. Instead, we have experienced stagnation, recycled ideas, and little evidence of policy leadership that responds to Surulere’s evolving challenges,” Badmus said.
READ ALSO: No N200m form yet, APC insists amid 2027 nomination fee controversy
Badmus emphasized that the coalition’s stance is not motivated by personal bias or malice, but by a firm belief in accountability and the need for leadership to reflect the evolving aspirations of the people.
“Leadership must remain accountable, renewable, and reflective of the evolving aspirations of the people. We find it necessary to address attempts by certain quarters to misrepresent this stance as being reactionary or tied to recent developments,” he added.
The coalition is urging residents of Surulere Constituency I to consider candidates with fresh perspectives and a stronger commitment to people-centred representation.
Political analysts say the opposition could significantly influence voter sentiment in the upcoming election, noting that calls for renewed leadership resonate strongly in constituencies where developmental expectations remain unmet.
“Constituencies are increasingly demanding results over incumbency,” said Lagos-based political analyst, Dr. Biyi Adeyemi. “When a lawmaker’s track record is perceived as underwhelming, even a popular figure may face strong resistance from grassroots stakeholders.”
The Surulere Accountability Forum has positioned itself as a platform for monitoring constituency performance and holding elected representatives accountable to citizens’ expectations.