Lagos lawmaker and actor-turned-politician, Desmond Elliot, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Surulere Constituency I seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Elliot announced his withdrawal during the ongoing primary election in Surulere, citing alleged intimidation, coercion and the exclusion of his supporters from the voting process.

The three-term lawmaker alleged that many of his supporters were prevented from accessing the venue across several voting zones despite repeated appeals to party officials, making it impossible for a fair contest to take place.

“In all zones, they have been intimidating and stopping us. I want to officially announce my withdrawal from this particular race,” Elliot said while addressing party members at the venue.

Following the announcement, some of his supporters staged a peaceful protest before leaving the venue alongside him. Elliot said he chose to withdraw to avoid any breakdown of law and order, insisting that no political ambition was worth violence or loss of lives.

Elliot, who has represented Surulere Constituency I since 2015, was seeking a fourth consecutive term in the Lagos State House of Assembly.