This question is the issue in Nigerian Politics.
What with a vast amount of potential voters not understanding how the process works or not even knowing the issues, it’s easy for them to be manipulated in one way or another
A state legislator is not expected to do ‘anything for his constituency’ in the sense that we all expect them to do
Their job is representing the people, protecting their interests during legislation and using their influence and position to move projects to their constituency
How we expect Members with N800k monthly salary and N5m monthly imprest to build factories and stadia is the eighth wonder of the world.
How it is now the burden of Desmond to be asked what he has done for Surulere beats my imagination
Secondly, let’s even agree that in this stomach infrastructure era, the mantras ” what have you done for us lately is the main justification for election, then the general public belief that Desmond built only a walk bridge to one toilet flies in the face of light scrutiny
I now have in my possession a 198-page compendium titled – My Surulere and I So Far by Desmond Elliott
The compendium lists
11 motions sponsored
42 motions co-sponsored
1 bill, Lagos State Tourism Promotion Agency law
1 Bill, Lagos State Public Works Corp. Bill
32 bills were enacted into Law
He has chaired four committees and is a member of 12 House committees, among others.
The compendium also lists other such interventions in infrastructure, health, welfare, sports and entertainment
From this compendium, the man has not been idling around
Now the honest question I would like to ask an honest observer is, Surulere like other such areas, has a motley of elected officers from councilmen, to LG Chairman, to state Assembly, to House of Rep, to Senator and Governor so why is Desmond the only one being asked this question and why is he being singled out to be shot for Surulere’s desolation
The answer is very clear.
From my independent investigations and speaking to stakeholders from both sides inside Surulere where I have very strong ties, what I have come to deduce is funny
So Desmond if he gets this chance would be a ranking member thereby positioning him for election into any of the principal offices in the state house of assembly.
The Governorship has gone to another zone, the Deputy Governor likewise and the central zone, which is Surulere, is well positioned
A godfather is not too excited abt this prospect and he has gone through all the works to throw up another candidate who would just be an eaglet member despite the risk of Surulere missing out.
Further investigations on the ground show that the new candidate is not looking like a soft sell as I have seen videos of Desmond’s name being shouted at her campaigns and empowerment events.
Insider information shows that Desmond still has grassroots support even though the powers that be in Surulere would rather not have him
One narrative sold and bought by a lot of people that I have spoken to is that ‘he has done 12 years, he should allow someone else’
This position was held very strongly by O an investment banker and a PhD holder. Her position was that he should allow someone else and allow fresh legs and voices
But I countered. There is a template in Surulere – Gbaja went six times. Oh my God, six times and if he didn’t have his present position, he would have gone for the seventh
So there is precedence and Elliott is just following the template designed by his master, why should his own be different
When Gbaja was doing his own marathon, where they not people waiting in line, where they also not being considered to enter, why should it be different now
Further investigations also put a lie to the often-reported news that the President have rebuffed emissaries from Elliott
To the best of my knowledge, no such thing has happened and in fact, elements within the Presidency have remained neutral on the matter with some key members of the President’s inner circle moving slightly towards Elliott
It is for this reason that Surulere could not push for a consensus candidate but has decided to go into the primaries which in itself is a burnout for the Godfather who couldn’t muscle his candidate in without a contest as would have been expected
For me, Desmond is the David in this APC tale of David and Goliath.
A little David going against the grain of thought within a system where even the Governor have feared to intervene, where other such huge figures have stood aside and where a father and son are looking squarely into each other’s eyes and the son is saying – Sir, pls i still respect you allow me but if you dont, i wil go against you while still on my knees in full supplication
For the rest of us, we can only just watch and observe and see how a system works with the hope that we will all one day push for true democracy
This is truly a sad story anyway you want to look at it
Come and beat me
Thanks
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: May 11, 2026
