- Safiu Kehinde
Nollywood actor-turned-politician, Desmond Elliot, has claimed using the money he made from filmmaking to run the affairs of his office as the lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Elliot made the claim while reflecting on his tenure during a recent interview.
In a clip of the interview shared on X on Wednesday, the lawmaker debunked speculations of joining politics for money with his tenure as Lagos Assembly lawmaker making him wealthier.
Elliot claimed that he was not richer as a lawmaker like when he was acting as he alleged using his personal fund from filming to run the office.
“Resource wise, I promise you, I don’t think I’m any richer when I was here as an actor.
“I don’t think I’ve been here to create wealth because you cannot be with the people. I think you will be wicked to deal with the people and not think you need to help and assist and do things.
“You have to use your funds. Especially funds that came from films.” He said.
Elliot further claimed that being at the legislative chamber only gives one platform to lobby.
“Assembly gives you platform to lobby things into your people. So, you learn how to be a good lobbyist. You learn how to talk to.
“You learn how to work with people’s lives, especially those in government. You will have to work with the lives especially when you need things, admission, employment, facilitate infrastructure, and others.
“It comes with a whole lot of lobbying, pleading. So, it is difficult. The good thing about it is that the higher you go, the easier it becomes.” He said.
The lawmaker, who is billed to step down from the legislative seat after losing the ticket for his re-election at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Primary Elections, noted that representing his constituency had not been easy.
He however expressed gratitude to God over his tenure.
“If I tell you it’s been easy, I will be lying. It’s not been easy. You have to make sure you are with the people. You have to understand people. You have to understand how things work. It is so much that I just say thank God.
“Did I think it was going to be a bed already spread for me? No it’s not. They don’t lay that bed. You have to create the bed.
“In all, I’ve been blessed because through me, I believe God has been able to use me to bless lives. I am very honoured and privileged that I was counted amongst those to represent people.
“Representing people is not small joke. It is totally different from Nollywood where it is just me, myself, and enemy. This one is everybody.” He said.