Actor-turned-lawmaker Hon. Desmond Olusola Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has made a public appeal to Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, seeking forgiveness and a chance to return to the fold of the APC Lagos leadership.
The appeal came as Elliot officially picked up his nomination form to seek re-election for a fourth term ahead of the 2027 general elections. 82b7
“If I have erred, I am sorry”
Speaking with journalists, Elliot described Gbajabiamila as “a compassionate leader. A leader of thought” and admitted that misunderstandings may have occurred during past political engagements. 82b7
“We are children. Children sometimes err. If I have erred in any way, my leader, I am sorry. Give me another chance, and let’s move on, and let’s bring more dividends of democracy to the people”.
“Although he has not said that I have erred, I’m just saying that if I have, then this is the situation”.
In a separate TVC interview, he went further, calling Gbajabiamila “my egbon” and “my daddy”:
Elliot said he grew up learning politics under Gbajabiamila’s guidance and reaffirmed his commitment to party unity and development in Surulere. 059b
Background: The 2025 APC Primary Fallout
The plea comes months after Elliot suffered a heavy defeat in the APC primary for Surulere Constituency 1.
Barr. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who is believed to have the backing of Gbajabiamila, polled 11,385 votes to defeat Elliot, who got 270 votes. Results from several wards showed wide margins, including 2,191 to 82 in Akinhanmi/Cole Ward. 1c5e8bc6
Elliot initially rejected the outcome, alleging intimidation and that many of his supporters were barred from voting venues. He said he was withdrawing his agents and would appeal through the party’s internal process. 1c5e
Tensions were further heightened during the Lagos Assembly leadership crisis, when Gbajabiamila revealed that President Tinubu had summoned him over allegations that Elliot was involved in moves to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. Gbajabiamila said he “nearly lost his position at the Presidency” because of it. 059b0c44
Call for Reintegration into APC Lagos Family
In his latest remarks, Elliot pledged to renew his loyalty to the GAC leadership in Lagos and asked for reintegration into the APC Surulere family.
He argued that experience matters in the legislature:
