ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Lagos lawmaker and actor-turned-politician, Desmond Elliot, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Surulere 1 constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, alleging intimidation of his supporters at the venue.
Elliot announced his withdrawal on Wednesday at the Paddington Mini Stadium on Western Avenue, where the party’s primary election was being conducted.
He said the decision became necessary after repeated attempts to get electoral officials to allow his supporters access to the voting area reportedly failed.
According to him, his supporters were prevented from entering the venue despite several appeals, a situation he described as targeted intimidation.
“In all zones, they’ve been intimidating and stopping us. I want to officially announce my withdrawal from this particular race. This is my ward. If you go outside, those are my people outside,” Elliot said.
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The lawmaker further claimed that access restrictions imposed on his supporters made the process unfair and unworkable for his campaign.
Following his announcement, supporters who had gathered outside the venue staged a peaceful protest before leaving alongside him.
Elliot said his withdrawal was also aimed at preventing any breakdown of law and order, stressing that political ambition should not lead to violence or loss of lives.
He later thanked party members at the venue, saying: “Good luck. Thank you, and God bless you.”
The APC primary in Surulere 1 continues amid tensions surrounding internal party competition and allegations of uneven access for aspirants and their supporters.