Desmond Elliot’s Fourth Term Bid Faces Resistance

Desmond Elliot has represented Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2015. He won re-election in 2019 and again in 2023, completing three terms that give him about 12 years in office. Now, as 2027 approaches, there are indications he may seek a fourth term. That possibility has opened a debate within his constituency and his party, culminating in some resistance.

To understand the situation, it helps to remember that members of state assemblies represent local constituencies, pass state laws, and push projects that affect roads, schools, health centres, and other services. Moreover, performance is typically judged by visible results at the community level and access to political leadership.

Elliot’s rise has been supported by strong party backing, including alignment with senior APC figures such as Femi Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and current Chief of Staff to the President. That support, combined with his public profile as an actor-turned-politician, helped him secure repeated victories.

The current resistance against Elliot’s continued service is reportedly coming from within the same constituency that previously backed him. Groups such as the Surulere Accountability Forum have openly opposed a fourth-term bid. Their argument is that after more than a decade, they expect stronger results in infrastructure, policy innovation, and local engagement. They describe his record as insufficient and are calling for a change in representation.

There are also internal divisions within the APC. Some party members support his return, citing experience and continuity. Others argue that the seat should rotate to a new candidate after three terms.

There is also the issue of public perception, where Elliot’s past comments during the 2020 #EndSARS protests still come up in discussions, especially among younger voters.

So, Elliot no longer seems to be running on familiarity alone but is being measured against time spent in office and expectations that have grown with it. The next decision will come from the same constituency that once made his rise possible.