‘My own kind of politician, I don’t steal money’ – Desmond Elliot
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| Desmond Elliot (Nigerian actor and politician) |
Desmond Elliot, the actor-turned-politician, has stated that his political career has always been driven by public service rather than personal gain.
The MP for Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly shared these thoughts during an interview on Morayo Brown’s show, where he reflected on leadership, governance, and his time in politics.
Elliot also urged fellow politicians to stay grounded, reminding them that power and public office are only temporary.
“We will all die one day. We are not here forever,” he said.
“This I am saying to all of us politicians, we are not here forever. You were in that particular place for a reason, not because you are better than the next person. Trust me, there are way better people than you.”
Reflecting on his achievements in office, the 52-year-old highlighted improving the local electricity supply as one of his proudest accomplishments.
“Power is my greatest achievement as a lawmaker in Surulere Constituency I,” he said.
“My own kind of politician, I don’t steal money. If you look at Surulere 10 years ago, it was a horrible place to live in.
“Today, there is electricity, healthcare and all, If you look at Surulere 10 years ago, it was a horrible place to live in. Today, electricity is one of the best you can find anywhere else.”
Elliot also argued that Nigeria should develop its own political system tailored to its local realities, rather than relying on models copied from other countries.
“We have to define our own style of democracy,” he said.
“Let’s have a 30-year plan, for instance, and say for the next five years, let the west rule, the next five years let the north rule, the next five years let the central rule.
“Yet we are already following through a particular plan that leads us to 30 years. I’m just giving an idea.”
The politician added that, as things stand, he has yet to see anyone capable of replacing President Bola Tinubu.
“I’m thinking, okay, who is the next saviour that can remove Asiwaju from what he is doing? Presently, I cannot see yet,” he said.
Elliot entered politics in 2014 when he announced his intention to run for a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly under the All Progressives Congress. He won the Surulere Constituency I seat in 2015 and has been re-elected in every election since.
