Stakeholders in Surulere Constituency 1, Lagos State, have intensified calls for Mr Desmond Elliot, the incumbent lawmaker, to step aside, rejecting his bid for a fourth term in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Elliot, a movie star-turned-politician, has represented the constituency since 2015. He now faces a direct contest from Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, the former Special Adviser on Housing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who resigned her position to enter the race.

Political observers note that Odunuga-Bakare, widely regarded as a protégé of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, enjoys strong backing from the Presidency.

Elliot’s earlier advantage, bolstered by his celebrity status and support from figures in the entertainment industry such as Funsho Adeola, is reportedly diminishing. Critics within the constituency argue that, as a non-indigene who grew up in Surulere, Elliot has overstayed his welcome, with party faithful insisting that three terms should suffice.

In a statement, Mr Olanrewaju Badmus, spokesman for the Surulere Accountability Forum, said Elliot’s tenure has been marked by weak policy innovation, limited legislative impact, and failure to address local needs.

“Three terms should have produced clear, measurable progress. Instead, we have experienced stagnation, recycled ideas, and little evidence of responsive leadership,” Badmus said.

He added that the group’s position is not personal but rooted in the principle that leadership must remain accountable and reflective of the people’s evolving aspirations.

“We urge Surulere to present candidates with fresh energy and ideas capable of addressing infrastructure decay, youth unemployment, and inadequate healthcare,” he noted.

While the Accountability Forum opposes Elliot’s continuation, pro-Elliot residents and APC supporters recently staged a rally advocating for him as the party’s consensus candidate, citing his perceived impact.

Surulere is not the only hotspot. Across Lagos, incumbents are facing strong challenges: Abiodun Tobun in Epe 1 faces Olanrewaju Olaleye Ogundele, Solomon SaanuBonu in Badagry is challenged by Joseph Henugbe, and Oshodi/Isolo 1 pits Stephen Ogundipe against Governor Sanwo-Olu’s SSA on Sports, Adebanji Atewogboye, and the local executive secretary, Mayowa Alakija. Other contests in Ibeju-Lekki and Surulere 2 similarly reflect intense competition.

With high-profile contests emerging across the state, the political terrain for the 2027 elections is shaping up for fierce battles, signalling an unpredictable fight for control of the Lagos State Assembly.