Desmond Elliot has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for the Surulere 1 seat in the Lagos state house of assembly.
He said his decision was due to intimidation and political pressure targeted at his supporters.
Elliot, who currently represents Surulere 1 in the assembly, announced his withdrawal on Wednesday amid rising tension surrounding the APC primaries in the constituency.
The lawmaker accused some party leaders in Surulere of creating an atmosphere of coercion and victimisation. According to him, party members were being forced to support a preferred aspirant.
He said supporters of his re-election bid, including party loyalists and some local government officials, were threatened with political consequences if they failed to align with certain interests within the party structure.
“Intimidation, coercion, twisting, and forcing people to follow their own candidate is what exists today in Surulere,” Elliot said.
In a viral video circulating online, the actor-turned-politician said his supporters were prevented from participating in the primary process across several zones in the constituency.
“In all zones, they have been intimidating and stopping us. I want to officially announce my withdrawal from this particular race,” he said.
“This is my ward; if you go outside, those are my people. They have not been allowed. I am officially announcing my withdrawal from this race.”
