The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency 1, at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliott, has expressed gratitude over the massive show of support from residents and party faithful ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC)primaries.
Speaking during the wards tour in Surulere, Elliott said he was overwhelmed by the turnout.
He said the crowd demonstrated that the people still believed in his representation and accessibility.
“I am overwhelmed and very honoured. People left their places of work just to come out and support what we are doing.
“They know I cannot do everything, but they can see that I remain accessible,” he said.
The lawmaker said democratic governance works best when powers are devolved across all levels of government, adding that representatives at the local, state, and Federal levels must ensure development reaches their communities.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu made governance more effective by ensuring elected representatives contribute directly to development within their constituencies.
Elliott stated that continuity in legislative representation was important, noting that experienced lawmakers were often able to attract more projects and opportunities to their constituencies.
He referenced the impact of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, saying residents witnessed increased development in Surulere during his years in office.
“Our people need more jobs, employment and better healthcare. Instead of learning from the beginning again, we are saying we already understand the process and should apply the knowledge to further develop Surulere,” he said.
The lawmaker also pointed to infrastructural improvements in the area, including roads, healthcare facilities, education, security, and electricity describing them as products of lobbying and effective representation.
Appealing to APC members and residents, Elliott urged them not to be intimidated during the party primaries.
“To every Surulere resident, do not be afraid. Come out on May 21 and vote for the candidate of your choice,” he added.
He further appreciated party leaders and supporters who accompanied him on the ward visits, including former Council Chairman, Tajudeen Ajide, former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Kabiru Lawal also known as Caesar and Hon. Baruwa, describing their support as encouraging.
A supporter, Enyeribe Sharon, expressed confidence in Elliott’s chances, insisting that he remained close to the people.
“Desmond is the key to getting the people to vote. This is his third term and if he did not perform well, people would not still be supporting him,” he said.
He also dismissed concerns over party structure, maintaining that APC members backing Elliott possessed valid party cards and were prepared to participate in the primaries.
According to him, the crowd turnout during what he described as a simple ward visitation reflected the level of grassroots support the lawmaker enjoys.
Former lawmaker, Kabiru Lawal, also commended Elliott’s connection with residents, describing leadership as service rooted in sincerity and openness.
“When you open your heart to the people, they accept you. Leadership is about serving the people with your heart and soul.
“I accept the leadership of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila but oftentimes it is not everything said by the right leader, like he usually said before and behind me that I say things as I see them.
“A leader is human he can never be all perfect, so God uses those close to him as a corrective measure, I am one of those God is using for our leader but they did not allow him to listen.
“We who loved Desmond Elliott need a lot of prayers because we don’t have what it takes to face the situation on the ground, is it money or connection that we have like them?
“But God do turn a powerful person into a coward if he so wills and that is what we relied on that God will turn cowards to powerful men given our plain hearts they do tell a story that they took the ticket from Kabir Lawal for Desmond, and as at that time Kabir was doing quite well fine.
“It is the truth but it has a reason, most of those that knows Desmond knew him through their TV sets he was not a politician, nobody knew what it would breed for us but today I say it boldly owing to that day of reckoning that Desmond, who got into power then did immensely better than Kabir Lawal.
“There is nothing I want from you that the leader can’t give me times ten, but I think about my children likewise that of my grandchildren and that day I will meet my creator.
“If it was Lukmon Oyewole Lawal that the leader brought to change Desmond I will be one of those to advise Desmond that my man you’ve had enough owing to Lukmon’s antecedents.
“He is not holding any elective office but we know what he is doing for the people, but the Baraka who you are being asked to vacate the seat for has held a political appointment what has she done?
“It will now be you that we can call at any time of the day that the leader wants to snatch away from us, no the God that made the leader victorious in his third term will make you victorious.”
Lawal added that, “God also allowed me to pass through the Assembly and I know how things are being done there likewise our leader, they have selected Governor from the east, from reliable source Deputy Governor will come from the west it is now time that the speaker will come from the central even if it is not Desmond that is chosen as Speaker, with the position God has placed the leader today couple with the connection, power and that God has for him today he is in a position to influence it to come to Surulere.
“If we even forget about the speakership, someone that has been in the Assembly, from the first term, second, third and fourth term is a power broker in that house, James Faleke is not a principal officer nor speaker in the House of Representatives, likewise Jimi Benson but what they are influencing to their constituencies where they represent, can we compare it to what Fuad Laguda is doing for us here?
“It cannot be compared now, so our prostrating for the leader is to plead with him, the love he has for us in Surulere for which he did and still doing lots of good things for us till date he should extend that love by supporting Desmond because with his support if you get to return back to the Assembly be you a speaker or principal officer or not Surulere will get the benefits more than having a neophyte there.
“If you have a relationship with God to an extent he will give you some revelations I do not want the leader’s downfall and God won’t allow the evil ones with him to orchestrate his downfall, God will direct him.
“Barakat is in the cabinet let Barakat go back there now, and allow Desmond to go for another term and then compel that you will only go there for just a term more and that ends it.”
