Lagos State House of Assembly member representing Surulere Constituency 1, Desmond Elliot, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly primary election, citing alleged intimidation and denial of access to his supporters during the exercise.

Speaking during the primary election held on Wednesday, 20 May, 2026, Elliot expressed frustration over what he described as undemocratic practices across several polling units.

“In all zones, they’ve been intimidating and stopping us, this is my ward. Those are my people outside they’ve not been allowed. I’m officially announcing my withdrawal from this race, good luck, thank you and God bless you,” he said, expressing dissatisfaction with the election process.

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The lawmaker further alleged that his supporters were prevented from participating in the election process despite several appeals to the electoral officers to allow his supporters into the polling area, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.

“There were clear cases of intimidation across different polling units, and my supporters were denied access to accreditation  let alone voting. This is not democracy,” Elliot alleged.

Elliot, who currently represents Surulere Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly has been occupying the seat since his first election on 11 April 2015 and seeking for fourth term in office prior his withdrawal from the race on Wednesday.