Elliot Denies Violence Plot as Group Alleges Surulere APC Primary Disruption

A political pressure group, the Surulere Accountability Front (SAF), has alleged a plot by the lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, to cause chaos during Wednesday’s All Progressives Congress assembly primaries in the constituency. The group, in a statement by its Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Badmus, alleged that Elliot had brought non-residents into the constituency to disrupt the exercise across the six wards where voting would take place. According to the group, the alleged plan is to use violence and gunshots to scare away genuine voters and force the primary election into an inconclusive outcome. Badmus stated: “We have confirmed information that Desmond Elliot has flooded Surulere 1 with non-Surulere people ahead of the primaries across all six wards where voting will take place. They allegedly plan to use gunshots to scare voters away and let the primary election become inconclusive, believing he will then be called for negotiation.”

The group’s leader further alleged that some of the individuals brought into the area were being accommodated in hotels, church halls, mosque halls, an OPC office in Ward G, and market spaces within the constituency. He said that some youths in the area had earlier chased out suspected outsiders from Lawanson Market and urged party members and residents to remain vigilant during the exercise. “We will not negotiate our representation with someone who has shown desperation, greed, disrespect for the organised Tinubu political structure in Lagos and lust for power,” the statement read. The group declared its support for the party’s gender inclusion policy and endorsed Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, a former Special Adviser on Housing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the APC ticket in the constituency. The Surulere Accountability Front also warned contestants against violence and disruption in the primary election, urging party members to remain calm, vigilant, and peaceful throughout the exercise across the six wards in the constituency. It appealed to eligible voters to mobilise massively and participate peacefully in the primary election and urged party members to cooperate with security agencies and party officials to ensure a credible and orderly process.

READ ALSO:

• UUTH Raid: EFCC to Discipline Officers as Olukoyede Orders Apology, Full Investigation
• 175 ISIS Terrorists, Top Commanders Killed in 7 Days – DHQ Confirms
• “Tinubu Doesn’t Trust Me Because I’m Igbo” – Cubana Chief Priest Opens Up

However, a source within Elliot’s camp described the allegation as laughable, saying his opponent and her supporters “are only jittery of the lawmaker’s popularity.” The source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The allegation is a figment of their imagination. They are jittery because they know Elliot will defeat them. We are for free and fair elections, and we will surely win in a free and fair contest.” Elliot himself has insisted that no party leader, including the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, had asked him to step down from the race. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, the actor-turned-politician said he remained committed to the primary process. “Because I was not asked by him, my leader (Gbajabiamila), never,” Elliot said. “Even the day I declared, I flew to Abuja to see him again to tell him, ‘Oga’, which is how I call him, ‘Oga, I am here again.’ But at the end of the day, I am here to also serve the people. I do have the leadership, I do have the people. So, the President has said, let the people decide. If they want you to continue, you continue.” Elliot has also alleged that members of his political camp in Surulere were facing intimidation ahead of the primary election. He claimed that some local government officials allegedly lost their positions because of their support for him. “We are being intimidated in Surulere. If you know you are popular on the ground, do not intimidate the people,” he said. The lawmaker also alleged that he was being called names simply because he decided to contest again. “The truth is, I am not a cultist. I have never been a cultist. I am not a thug. I have never been. My record, my eight years, is open. I have not created any problem for anybody,” Elliot stated.

The lawmaker, who has represented Surulere Constituency I since 2015, explained why he is seeking a fourth term, saying his ambition was driven by the possibility of becoming a principal officer in the Assembly. Addressing his constituents during a campaign on Friday, Elliot urged his supporters not to bow to intimidation from rival camps. “The question is, ‘what am I looking for in the fourth term that I am being intimidated to step down?’ Don’t accept it, you have invested so much in me. There is a high chance that I will become a principal officer. On the 21st of May, stand your ground, come out in your large numbers to vote for me, and I will emerge victorious,” he said. Elliot, who quoted Psalm 121 during the campaign, said he was confident God would help him overcome the internal contest. “One with God is the majority,” he stated.

READ ALSO:

• Oyo Abduction: IGP Deploys More Detectives as Panic Spreads Across Ogbomoso
• APC Primaries Throw Up Major Upsets as Over 70 NASS Members Lose Return Tickets
• No Terrorist Base in South-West Forests, School Attack Isolated — DHQ

Earlier on Friday, Elliot publicly apologised to Femi Gbajabiamila, whom he described as his political mentor. Speaking on TVC’s Your View, the lawmaker said any misunderstanding between them was unintentional and insisted he remained committed to party unity. “I know media will come out and say eh, Desmond begs again. Yes, because he’s my egbon, and I grew up learning everything I know in politics through him. So, some of these things were not intentional,” he said. “He might be upset for something or whatever it was. I’m human, and to err is human, to forgive is divine. So, I’m sorry, my daddy, if I have offended you in any way. Give me another chance so we can move on and bring development and dividends of democracy to the people,” Elliot said. The apology followed previous tensions linked to the Lagos Assembly leadership crisis, during which Gbajabiamila said President Bola Tinubu confronted him over intelligence reports alleging Elliot’s involvement in the speakership tussle, a claim Elliot has consistently denied.

Meanwhile, Elliot has explained why he signed the impeachment notice against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, during the January 2025 leadership crisis in the Assembly. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the actor-turned-politician said he was outside the country when the impeachment took place. The majority of lawmakers in the Lagos Assembly, on January 13, 2025, voted to remove Obasa as Speaker while he was reportedly on vacation in the United States. “I would like to state categorically that I wasn’t in the country. My wife and I travelled during the period of January 13th of 2025. We were in recess and then it was an opportunity for us to travel to attend my wife’s younger sister’s wedding,” he said. According to Elliot, he was in South Africa when news of Obasa’s impeachment broke. “That was the time Mr Mudashiru Obasa was impeached by Lagos State House of Assembly.

It came to me as a shock because I was in South Africa then. So, obviously, it took me about two days to come back. I was also as confused as everybody was.” The lawmaker disclosed that he appended his signature to the impeachment document because he believed the move had the backing of the presidency. “And then I saw that almost everybody had signed. And pretty much, we thought it was from the presidency. In all fairness, we thought it was from the presidency. And, of course, I appended my own signature. I believe I was maybe a 30-something person at that point in time because others who had travelled had returned and others who signed.” Elliot said lawmakers later received clarification from President Bola Tinubu that the impeachment was not authorised by him. “But eventually, Mr President called us and made us understand that it was not from him and asked us to return the speaker. And we did,” he added.

READ ALSO:

• FG Suspends Planned Closure of Eko Bridge After Fresh Safety Review
• Mother Seeks Help to Raise N14.5m for Son’s Kidney, Arm Surgery
• Court Adjourns UI–ISI Hijab Appeal Hearing to May 21

Elliot’s remarks came in response to claims by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who alleged that intelligence reports linked him to the impeachment attempt and that the situation nearly cost him his position. Gbajabiamila made the disclosure during an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos last Thursday, where he recounted how the political turmoil surrounding Obasa’s removal in January 2025 almost created a rift between him and President Tinubu. “I almost lost my job as chief of staff last year because of Desmond Elliot. He’s alive today; you can go and verify with him,” Gbajabiamila said. According to him, Tinubu summoned him to Abuja during the crisis and specifically mentioned Desmond Elliot among lawmakers allegedly involved in the impeachment plot. The former Speaker of the House of Representatives said he initially defended Elliot before later reaching out to him directly after meeting with the president. According to him, he cautioned the Surulere Constituency I lawmaker to distance himself from the impeachment move if he was involved. Gbajabiamila disclosed that three days later, the Director-General of the Department of State Services contacted him over claims that he was backing Elliot in the crisis rocking the Lagos Assembly. “Of course, the president will not believe that Desmond will do such a thing, and I don’t know about it,” he stated. He said he again urged Elliot to publicly dissociate himself from the impeachment plot, but the lawmaker allegedly refused to do so. “If it were not that I had the kind of relationship I had with the president, I wouldn’t be here today,” Gbajabiamila added.

Reacting to Gbajabiamila’s accusation, Elliot said he was surprised by the comment, considering their longstanding political relationship. “So, my leader (Gbajabiamila) coming to say this, that I almost lost his job, one I have served and has also been there for me for this long, to have said that came to me as a shock,” he said. “I did not mastermind anything. I had nothing at all. The only thing I did was to append my signature when I came back and I saw a bunch of us, if not all of us, had already appended a signature to say, ‘Oh, it was the party who wanted it.'” Elliot also addressed reports that the APC leadership is backing Barakat Odunuga-Bakare to replace him. Despite the speculation, he said no party leader, including Gbajabiamila, had asked him to step down from the race ahead of the party primaries. He reaffirmed his commitment to a free and fair primary election, stating: “If I lose, I will throw my support behind the winner. But please let it be under a free and fair election. By the grace of God, if I win, Alhamdulillah.”

Mudashiru Obasa was impeached on January 13, 2025, following allegations of abuse of office and gross misconduct levelled against him by lawmakers in the Lagos Assembly. Following his removal, then-Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda emerged as Speaker, becoming the first woman to occupy the position in Lagos State. However, Obasa rejected the impeachment upon his return to Nigeria and challenged the decision in court. After spending 49 days in office, Meranda stepped down and Obasa was reinstated as Speaker following the intervention of President Tinubu. A court subsequently nullified the proceedings and resolutions of the Assembly that led to Obasa’s impeachment.

Elliot Denies Violence Plot as Group Alleges Surulere APC Primary Disruption

“Tinubu Doesn’t Trust Me Because I’m Igbo” – Cubana Chief Priest Opens Up

Celebrity businessman and socialite Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, has made a startling revelation about his relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. During a livestream session with popular streamer Peller, the nightlife mogul admitted that President Tinubu does not fully trust him – primarily because he is Igbo and because he worked for Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election. In his own words: “As I dey now, Tinubu no really trust me as Igbo man wey I be. E Dey look me with one eye because he believe say this one wey don work for Peter Obi before.” This candid confession has since sparked widespread reactions across social media, political circles, and mainstream news platforms including BBC News Pidgin, Channels Television, and The Punch.

Despite the perceived mistrust, Cubana Chief Priest made it clear that he has fully defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and will support President Tinubu in the 2027 election. His reason is political strategy over sentiment. According to him, Peter Obi was not politically ready to win the presidency in 2023, and he does not want to be associated with a losing side again. He stated, “I work for Peter Obi last election. I don’t want to lose again. Elections are won through structure, strategy, and strong political backing – not social media comments or hashtags.” He argued that Tinubu already has the support of more than 30 governors across Nigeria, making him an “immortal” force in Nigerian politics, adding: “Make Asiwaju just do his own and go. Asiwaju na immortal. No be somebody wey anybody fit push away. Tinubu go still enter 100.”

READ ALSO:

• Oyo Abduction: IGP Deploys More Detectives as Panic Spreads Across Ogbomoso
• APC Primaries Throw Up Major Upsets as Over 70 NASS Members Lose Return Tickets
• No Terrorist Base in South-West Forests, School Attack Isolated — DHQ

This revelation comes just days after Cubana Chief Priest lost the APC ticket for the Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat in Imo State. The primary election, held on Saturday, ended without the socialite securing the ticket – despite purchasing the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms. However, in a swift reaction on Instagram, Cubana Chief Priest clarified that he was not defeated at the polls. Instead, he claimed he voluntarily stepped down after consulting with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma. He explained, “The governor explained the party’s zoning arrangement to me. It was not yet the turn of my local government area to produce the federal lawmaker. In respect for the party and its leadership, I chose not to proceed.” He added emphatically: “Nobody will say they saw me anywhere around the primaries venue.”

Following the political setback, Seyi Tinubu, son of the President, reached out to Cubana Chief Priest via Instagram to offer encouragement. The President’s son wrote, “Bro, sometimes by losing a battle, you find a new way to win the war. Keep your head up. We know what you can achieve.” The socialite shared the exchange publicly, further fueling speculation about his growing closeness to the First Family.

Despite the primary loss, Cubana Chief Priest remains unshaken and highly ambitious. He confirmed that he still serves as the Imo State Coordinator of the City Boy Movement, a support group backing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. When asked about his future political aspirations, he hinted at something much bigger, saying, “Maybe God wants me to be the Governor.” He also dismissed online trolls mocking his primary defeat with characteristic bravado: “How will I be sad over what poor men are saying? I checked their pages, and none of them has a G-Wagon.”

In summary, the key takeaways from Cubana Chief Priest’s interview are as follows. On the issue of trust from Tinubu, he stated that the President does not fully trust him because he is Igbo and previously worked for Peter Obi. Regarding the 2023 election, he admitted he worked for Peter Obi but now regrets it. For the 2027 election, he declared full support for President Tinubu, with his reason for defection being simply “I don’t want to lose again.” On his APC primary loss, he claimed he stepped down voluntarily after Governor Uzodimma explained zoning arrangements. Finally, he revealed that his future ambition may include running for Governor.

“Tinubu Doesn’t Trust Me Because I’m Igbo” – Cubana Chief Priest Opens Up

APC Primaries Throw Up Major Upsets as Over 70 NASS Members Lose Return Tickets

LAGOS — The ongoing National Assembly primaries of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have triggered major political upsets across the country, with no fewer than 70 serving lawmakers set to exit the National Assembly after failing to secure return tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The affected lawmakers include senators and members of the House of Representatives who either lost during the primaries, withdrew from the race, stepped down for other aspirants or were disqualified by the party hierarchy.

The APC currently controls 242 seats in the House of Representatives and 88 seats in the Senate, making the outcome one of the biggest political shake-ups within the ruling party in recent years.

Among the lawmakers who will not return is Rep. Donatus Matthew, popularly known as the “Okada Rider,” who was elected under the Labour Party platform to represent Kaura Federal Constituency in Kaduna State before defecting to the APC. He was later disqualified during the APC screening exercise.

Several former Labour Party lawmakers who defected to the APC also failed to secure the party’s tickets during the primaries. They include Esosa Iyawe, who lost the Oredo Federal Constituency ticket in Edo State to Dr. Paddy Iyamu; Senator Neda Imasuen of Edo South; Tochukwu Okere of Imo; Bassey Akiba of Cross River; and Daulyop Fom of Plateau State.

Senators Who Lost Tickets

Among APC senators who will not return to the National Assembly are former Ogun State governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East); Diket Plang (Plateau Central); Osita Izunaso (Imo West); Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East); Titus Zam (Benue West); Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central); Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central); and Ned Nwoko (Delta North).

READ ALSO:

• No Terrorist Base in South-West Forests, School Attack Isolated — DHQ
• FG Suspends Planned Closure of Eko Bridge After Fresh Safety Review
• Mother Seeks Help to Raise N14.5m for Son’s Kidney, Arm Surgery

Sources within the APC disclosed that at least 58 House of Representatives members and 12 senators have already lost the opportunity to return, pending final ratification by the party leadership.

Political analysts say many of the losses were influenced by internal party power struggles, zoning arrangements, alliances with governors, delegate politics and growing anti-incumbency sentiments among party members.

Violence, Protests Trail Primaries

The primaries have also been marred by violence, protests and allegations of manipulation in several states.

In Ondo State, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, SAN, representing Ondo Central, narrowly escaped death after armed thugs reportedly attacked his polling unit in Akure during the senatorial primary.

Eyewitnesses said gunmen invaded the venue at Okilisa Ward 5 and opened fire after it became clear that Adegbonmire was leading the vote count.

The attack caused panic among delegates, party officials, journalists and residents, while some women reportedly sustained injuries in the stampede that followed.

Speaking after the incident, Adegbonmire described the primary as a “complete charade,” alleging that violence and intimidation were deliberately orchestrated against his supporters.

“My supporters were about 400 and there were three lines. They started counting my line first because it was the longest. But while they were counting the other line and it became glaring that we were leading, thugs invaded the place and started shooting,” he alleged.

Another aspirant, Olumuyiwa Adu, also rejected the exercise, accusing armed thugs of hijacking the process and imposing candidates on party members.

Delta Primaries Under Scrutiny

In Delta State, uncertainty surrounded the Senate primary results after the APC National Secretariat faulted state-level declaration of winners.

APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, criticised primary committees for announcing winners directly from state collation centres instead of waiting for ratification by the National Working Committee, NWC, in Abuja.

According to him, the party leadership reserved the right to review complaints and petitions before making final pronouncements on winners and losers.

The development has cast doubts over the reported victories of former Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta North), Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central), and Senator Joel Onowakpo-Thomas (Delta South).

Meanwhile, the APC National Assembly Primaries Appeal Committee in Delta confirmed receiving at least five petitions from aggrieved aspirants challenging the conduct of the exercise.

No Primary Held in Cross River — Aspirants

In Cross River State, Senator Eteng Jones Williams and fellow aspirant Mary Ekpere rejected results circulating online for the Cross River Central Senatorial District, insisting that no primary election took place in any of the 66 wards.

Williams said his team monitored all wards and confirmed that voting never occurred.

Ekpere also alleged exclusion from the process, claiming she neither saw electoral materials nor voted during the exercise.

AbdulRazaq Clinches Kwara Ticket

In Kwara State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq emerged unopposed in the APC primary for the Kwara Central Senatorial District.

Senator Saliu Mustapha had earlier stepped down and publicly endorsed the governor for the seat.

Benue Senators Suffer Heavy Defeat

In Benue State, two serving senators — Titus Zam (Benue North-West) and Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East) — lost their return tickets in dramatic fashion.

Retired Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Benjamin Aber, defeated Zam with over 93,000 votes, while former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, staged a political comeback by defeating Udende with more than 131,000 votes.

Both defeated senators rejected the outcome, alleging manipulation and predetermined results.

Kogi, Zamfara, Kaduna Primaries Spark Crisis

At the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, stakeholders from Kogi Central protested against the participation of former Governor Yahaya Bello in the senatorial primary, alleging irregularities and questioning his clearance status.

In Zamfara, senatorial aspirant Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi warned that the APC risked another legal disaster similar to the 2019 Supreme Court ruling that nullified the party’s primaries in the state.

Former Kaduna Assembly Speaker Yusuf Zailani also rejected the Kaduna Central senatorial primary, insisting that no proper election was conducted across the zone.

Ekiti Aspirant Rejects Result

In Ekiti State, former senator Ayo Arise rejected the outcome of the Ekiti North Senatorial District primary won by incumbent Senator Cyril Fasuyi.

Arise alleged vote manipulation and claimed results from ward-level collation showed he actually won the election.

APC Primaries Throw Up Major Upsets as Over 70 NASS Members Lose Return Tickets