According to Desmond Elliot, his political career has been motivated more by a dedication to service than by self-interest.
In an interview with Morayo Brown, the Lagos house of assembly representative for Surulere Constituency I discussed his political career, party allegiance, and leadership in Nigeria.
The 52-year-old movie star also asked other politicians to keep in mind that political power is ephemeral.
He said;
“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.”
“Power is my greatest achievement as a lawmaker in Surulere Constituency I.”
“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.”
“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.”
“I’m thinking, okay, who is the next saviour that can remove Asiwaju from what he is doing? Presently, I cannot see yet.”
While Desmond Elliot’s statement may come across as inspiring, it raises more questions than it answers. In a country where corruption has been deeply entrenched in the system for decades, the notion that there are politicians who truly don’t steal money is a welcome one.
However, it’s also a concept that needs to be tested and verified. Can we truly say that politicians who have held power for years, who have had access to enormous resources and who have been known to engage in questionable dealings, can genuinely claim to be corruption-free? Or is this just a case of lip service, a public relations stunt meant to curry favor with the people?
The truth is, only time and thorough investigations will tell, and until then, we remain skeptical of such claims.
Live with Purpose, Love with Passion. Remember to be happy
One ❤️❤️❤️
Rose Ajieh
