Desmond Elliot condemns ‘senseless’ attack on political rival Olumide Oworu

Desmond Elliot, the actor-turned-politician, has condemned the attack on Olumide Oworu by people he described as “overzealous political thugs.”

Elliot is the lawmaker representing the Surulere constituency at the Lagos state house of assembly.

Oworu, the actor, is contesting the constituency seat with Elliot.

While Oworu is with the Labour Party (LP), Elliot is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a Twitter post on Thursday, the LP candidate said his campaign team was attacked in Surulere.

Oworu also said the police have been informed of the incident, adding that a member of his team was injured.

“My team and I were attacked on Tuesday as we attempted to campaign at Iponri, Surulere. A member of my team was injured, but we are thankful the incident didn’t escalate past the level it was,” he wrote.

My team and I were attacked on Tuesday as we attempted to campaign at Iponri, Surulere. A member of my team was injured, but we are thankful the incident didn’t escalate past the level it was. The case has been reported at the Iponri police station.

— Olumide Abiodun Oworu (@OlumideOworu) March 16, 2023

“The case has been reported at the Iponri police station. I am not deterred by the incident. Instead I am more committed to seeing this through.”

Reacting to the incident in a statement shared on Twitter, the APC candidate described the attack as “senseless” while urging his “teeming supporters to remain calm.”

“The attention of the Media Office of Hon. Olushola Desmond Elliott has been drawn to the senseless attack on the supporters of the Labour Party in Surulere by suspected thugs & overzealous political jobbers masquerading as party supporters,” the statement shared on Friday reads in part.

“He condemns in strong terms violence in whatever guise & as a law abiding citizen, he has called on everyone,to allow reasons prevail & put their emotions under control in the interest of all Lagosians.

Re: Violent attack by Hoodlums on Labour Party supporters in Surulere

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The attention of the Media Office of Hon. Olushola Desmond Elliott has been drawn to the senseless attack on the supporters of the Labour Party in Surulere by suspected thugs & overzealous political jobbers…

— Desmond Elliot (@DesmondOElliot) March 17, 2023

“Mr Elliot is a peaceful and law abiding citizen and has enjoined his teeming supporters to remain calm while urging them to come out in their numbers to vote all the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC on Saturday.”

Kemi Lala Akindoju, the filmmaker, had earlier described the incident as “shameful”.

Desmond Elliot SHOULD PUBLICLY condemn the violent attack on Olumide Oworu and his team. If not, his silence will mean he endorses it.

— Kemi Lala Akindoju (@lalaakindoju) March 16, 2023