Actor-turned-politician and member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, has said his political career has been driven by service rather than personal enrichment, insisting that he does not steal public funds.
- +I don’t steal in my kind of politics — Desmond Elliot
The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I made the remarks during a Tuesday interview on The Morayo Brown Show, where he reflected on leadership, governance and his experience in politics.
The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I made the remarks during a Tuesday interview on The Morayo Brown Show, where he reflected on leadership, governance and his experience in politics.
Elliot made the comments while responding to an appeal by Christian Widows & Widowers Empowered, a non-profit organisation founded by Beatrice Yesufu, which featured on the programme to highlight the plight of widows and widowers across the country.
“I will look for N1 million to donate to you. I don’t know where I will get the money from because, in my own kind of politics, I don’t steal. And that is the truth; I don’t steal,” he said.
Speaking on why corruption persists in Nigeria’s political system, Elliot argued that many politicians accumulate wealth because they are uncertain about their future in office.
According to him, public office holders often fear they could lose political relevance at any time, prompting them to hoard money for themselves and their families.
“Politicians realise that their bosses can turn on them. So they begin to keep money for themselves and their families because they are insecure about their offices,” he said.
He added, “But I did not keep for myself, and by God’s grace I will not beg for food, but by God’s grace I will not beg tomorrow.”
The lawmaker urged politicians to remember that power is temporary.
“We will all die one day. We are not here forever.
“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,” he said.
Highlighting his achievements in office, Elliot described improvements in electricity supply within Surulere Constituency I as his biggest accomplishment.
“Power is my greatest achievement as a lawmaker in Surulere Constituency I.
“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,” he said.
Elliot also advocated a political system tailored to Nigeria’s realities rather than one 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.”
On the country’s political future, the lawmaker said he had 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 declared his intention to contest for the Surulere Constituency I seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. He was first elected in 2015 and has since been re-elected.
