The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, has rejected the outcome of the All Progressives Congress primary election in the constituency.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Elliot said he would appeal the result, alleging that the exercise was marred by violence, intimidation and disenfranchisement of his supporters.
The incumbent lawmaker lost the APC ticket to Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who polled 11,385 votes. Elliot scored 270 votes across the wards in the constituency.
Odunuga-Bakare was said to have been backed by the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, in the race.
Speaking after the primary, Elliot said he did not withdraw from the race.
He explained that he only asked his agents and supporters to withdraw from participating in the voting process because of alleged irregularities.
Elliot stated, “The only person who can ask me to step down is the party. If the party says Desmond go down, that is when I will step down because I’m a party person.
“But the party has also, in its magnanimity, given us an opportunity to appeal.
“We were appealing, and as I say, it is not a do-or-die affair. I’m here to serve the people. I mean, that’s my home. They come to my house.
“So, if I am here to serve you as a person, why will some people feel it shouldn’t happen? So, I’m not going to say any more than this, other than the fact that we are not accepting this process. I am not withdrawing.
“Why I said withdraw then is that I’m withdrawing my agents from participating in the voting process. But we are appealing the process. We are definitely appealing.”
Elliot Alleges Violence
The lawmaker alleged that his supporters were attacked during the exercise, adding that there was video evidence to support his claim.
Elliot further stated, “Nobody was killed. But a lot of people were really maimed. There are videos of people going to the hospital.
“This is just primaries. It is not a do-or-die affair. In different wards, people are being intimidated. I have been talking about intimidation for a long time.
“If you know you have done well for the people, why are you now worried? You have the machinery of the structure with you.
“I don’t have the structure. You have everything with you. Then why are you scared? Why don’t you just go to the field.”
Elliot further alleged that many of his supporters were prevented from participating in the primary.
He said he noticed that several of them were outside the venue and were not allowed in before officials announced that accreditation would soon close.
The lawmaker added, “Why I decided to say I was not going to accept the process was because when I entered, I discovered that virtually all my supporters were outside, and I kept asking, ‘why were they not coming in? The next thing I heard is that in 20 minutes they’re going to stop. How can you stop in 20 minutes?
“I was hearing that the cards were fake. The only way you can verify if a card is fake is when they go through the verification process and allow them that process. So, why would you say they are fake?”