Lagos State lawmaker Desmond Elliot has found himself at the center of political discussions following the emergence of a video showing him publicly apologizing to Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu. In the circulating footage, the legislator can be seen on his knees, appealing for forgiveness and seeking to mend fences within the Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress.
The public display stems from political friction that arose during the party’s primary elections for the Surulere Constituency I seat. Tensions had boiled over when Elliot abruptly withdrew from the race, vocalizing strong grievances regarding alleged political pressure and intimidation directed at his loyal supporters. Discontented with how the process unfolded, he initially vowed to challenge the outcome through official party appeal channels.
The primary eventually concluded with Barakat Odunuga-Bakare clinching the party’s ticket, a victory widely believed to have enjoyed the backing of Gbajabiamila. The contest reflected a massive disparity at the polls, as Odunuga-Bakare secured 11,385 votes to comfortably defeat Elliot, who managed 270 votes.
During his recent appeal for clemency, a remorseful Elliot acknowledged his missteps without offering excuses, telling party leaders that he deeply regrets his actions and hopes to conduct himself with better alignment moving forward. Political analysts note that this unexpected move highlights the high-stakes nature of internal party politics in Lagos, where securing the goodwill of key power brokers remains crucial for political survival.
What are your thoughts on this public apology?
