Coalition opposes Desmond Elliot’s fourth-term Lagos Assembly bid

By Adeyemi Adeleye

A coalition of concerned stakeholders in Surulere, Surulere Accountability Forum has alleged that Desmond Elliot, the member representing Surulere Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly of delivering minimal constituency projects and showing limited legislative impact.

The Coalition said this while stating their opposition to Desmond Elliot’s bid for a fourth term as member representing Surulere Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The group stressed the need for Surulere Constituency 1 to present individuals with fresh energy and new ideas in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos by its Spokesman, Mr Olanrewaju Badmus.

According to the coalition, Elliot’s previous three terms at the Lagos Assembly were not satisfactory to the people of his constituency.

Badmus said that community leaders, youth groups, small-business representatives and civil society organisations had collectively assessed Elliot’s legislative record and found it wanting.

He also alleged that Elliot lacked the creativity and drive to tackle infrastructure decay, youth unemployment and inadequate primary healthcare.

“We are not opposed to any individual on principle, but we refuse to endorse continued leadership that has not produced tangible improvements for our wards.

“Three terms should have produced clear, measurable progress.

“Instead, we have experienced stagnation, recycled ideas, and little evidence of policy leadership that responds to Surulere’s evolving challenges,” Badmus said.

He said that the group’s position was not borne out of malice or personal bias, but from a firm belief that no individual is bigger than the system.

“Leadership must remain accountable, renewable, and reflective of the evolving aspirations of the people.

He noted that the group “finds it necessary to address attempts by certain quarters to misrepresent this stance as being reactionary or tied to recent developments.”

He stressed the need for Surulere Constituency 1 to present individuals with fresh energy and new ideas.

The spokesman also called for a renewed commitment to people-centred representation.

“As stakeholders, the forum affirms its commitment to upholding democratic values, promoting inclusive participation in leadership and ensuring that the voice of the people remains a priority.

“We call on well-meaning residents, and supporters of democracy to stand firm in ensuring that Surulere is taken to greater heights.

“By putting forward a candidate with fresh ideas and the ambition to take Surulere to greater heights,” he added

(NAN)