Why I chose APC as my political
party – Desmond Elliot
on november 15, 2014 at 6:30 am in showtime
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BY DAMILOLA SHOLOLA & MAUREEN NWANZE
T here is no doubt that Desmond Elliot is one of
the most prolific actors in Nollywood. Not only
is he talented on screen, he is also into
directing and producing movies. Just recently,
he ventured into politics. Desmond Elliot is
planning to run for a seat in the Lagos State
House of Assembly come 2015.
We met him at a location in Lekki where he was
shooting his latest movie. In this exclusive
interview as our Showtime Celebrity he talks
about his career, political ambition and more:
What movie are you working on now?
It’s a movie called ‘Clueless’. It is starring Uru
Eke, Joseph Benjamin, Blossom Chukwujekwu and
my humble self
When is it going to be released?
Maybe before December or by January
When did you get into movie directing?
I started directing movies about 6 years ago
Which was the first movie you directed?
It’s called ’Uyai’, it’s an Akwa Ibom film
What has been the biggest movie you’ve acted
since you got into Nollywood?
I think it would be ‘Behind Closed Doors’ ; that
was almost 6 years ago
Has directing been more rewarding than acting?
Not financially, but fulfilling, Yes
What is the highpoint of your career as a movie
director?
You learn every day. I wouldn’t say I’ve gotten
to my peak but you learn every day. Directing
means being creative and being creative means
you’ve been doing a lot of thinking. And all that
is to be put into the film that you’re doing. I
wouldn’t say I’ve gotten to my peak yet but I
know I’m rising
Any challenges?
A lot; you have challenges with actors,
insufficient equipment, locations, unforeseen
circumstances, a lot.
What has been your highest budget movie in
terms of directing?
I can’t tell, maybe ‘Apaye’
What’s your idea of a good script?
A script that has a story that can be captivating,
that the people can relate with and that can be
slightly daring. This is so because you’re not
sure if the people would accept it or not
How has life been since you went into politics?
It’s been okay, it’s been good, it’s exposed me
to seeing more and the fact that I even want to
give back. Out there, the people are not asking
for a perfect turnaround, all they are asking for
is something that can symbolise a change in
their lifestyles.
Why did you suddenly go into politics?
I didn’t suddenly go into politics; politics has
always been a part of me. I’ve been involved in
campaigns for some Governors and even the
President. I’ve been on the campaign trail for
very long time now. Even though I have never
sought any elective office before I have always
had it at back of my mind as something I would
do one day. It is not a surprise at all, it’s a well-
thought out action and I came very prepared. I
didn’t just sleep one day and say okay, it’s time
to go into politics
If you were elected into the Lagos State House
of Assembly, what change should people expect
from you?
A Lot; First, I’m young, dynamic, very vibrant
and fast thinking. I’ve had lots of links with
corporate bodies, private bodies and nonprofit
organizations. Through me I know a lot can be
achieved because of my articulated experience.
Just wait and see me in action.
Why Surulere?
That’s my constituency; I think it’s good I face
my constituency for now
Are you going to leave Nollywood if you get
elected?
I can never leave Nollywood, I am only going to
help in propagating and promoting laws that
would help to structure the industry and make it
better and improve it from the present situation
– that’s it.
Why did the name ‘Olusola’ just come up from
nowhere?
Olusola didn’t just come up; I’m in an industry
where we have names. Desmond is my first
name, Elliot is my last name and my middle name
is Sola.
I’m going to a constituency that knows me as
Sola so I put it in; it’s not something I just
suddenly developed. Everyone is surprised,
we’ve gone past surprise; question is what do
you have to offer? Let’s move on. Whether I
have the name Sola or not, that does not affect
my capability to do work
How do you see some of your Nollywood
colleagues going into politics; do you think
anybody can just wake up one morning and say
they want to go into politics without having the
potential in them?s
First, everyone is entitled by law to vote and be
voted for. Secondly, I am maybe not too
surprised that many of Nollywood actors in this
dispensation are going into politics. It’s not too
far from the fact that there have been a lot of
socio-economic changes that have happened to
us in recent times.
That being as it may, we still must realize the
fact that Nollywood or entertainment as an
industry has contributed immensely to the
growth of the Nigerian economy and as such, it
is not absurd or strange that those who have
contributed to the growth of the economy
should want to partake in politics to serve. We
have a good relationship with our fans which are
the public and the grassroots.
Sometimes people don’t just accept it because
they don’t understand why somebody who is
playing make-believe on TV should want to rule
or serve.
At the end of the day, I can’t speak for
everybody but what I do know is everyone is
entitled as far as you’re a Nigerian to vote and
be voted for.
Many people believe that entertainers are
getting into politics because of money?
Granted, yes, there’s money in politics but have
you asked yourself one question, is it sand that
you use to play politics? The answer is No. What
you’re playing politics with is money. I’m not so
much into what government is going to be giving
as allowance, my idea as a fresh mind is how to
harness the resources around me and provide
for the people.
Because if I just stick with what government is
giving, then I am just going to be like everybody
else. But when I harness resources from both
home and abroad, harness NGOs, harness non-
profit organizations, corporate bodies, private
bodies, and bring all into creating social
responsibility and social development in the
people, then I know I’m achieving something
that has not been done before.
That is the major difference I’m bringing in;
using me and the platform I have to create a lot
and to make so many changes. It’s already
started.
You said you’re into politics for the youths?
I didn’t say I was there for the youths, I just said
I also represent the youths
Do you have anything special to offer them?
Oh yes, in my constituency, I want to make it a
point of duty that in the next two years, every
youth as long as you’re a Surulere resident,
you’re doing some form of tertiary education.
Right now as it stands, we have already gotten
admission for a couple of people at the Open
University to study.
We also have skills acquisition in that same
university, we also have things to offer like
nursing abroad. All these are subject to funding
which I intend to have from corporate bodies
and see how we can interface. There’s a lot that
could be done which is the reason why I said you
need brighter, fresher, renewable minds that are
ready to work.
My plan is to make sure I get people to go learn
skills, empower them by getting them shops to
realize these skills, get even the banking sector
into realizing the SMEs, make sure there’s
funding, try to get as many people off the
streets as possible
Are you planning to provide jobs for youths or
what?
I’m not a job maker but I can make sure that I
provide the avenue for which they can work. I
can influence things when I become a lawmaker.
Why APC?
It’s the party of change, it’s the party to be in,
and it’s the party to realize every dream. Its
manifesto has said we are giving more than a
million jobs to youths; every unemployed youth
is entitled to at least N5, 000 a month.
There’s housing and I’m talking genuine housing,
low-cost housing for people, the expansion of
Lagos State in terms of housing is one of the
things we’re looking at. There’s so much, not
just promises but things you know they can do.
A simple example is what you see happening in
Osun State which is almost like a blueprint
where even children are entitled to lunch; they
are entitled to one meal a day from the
government. Those are the kinds of social
welfare we’re talking about, alleviating the
problems and the poverty of people.
This is a party that means change; all I’m asking
for is people should get into this boat and seize
this opportunity to be in this party because it is
indeed the party of change. It is diversified in
terms of the people that are members of the
party, you couldn’t ask for anything better
Which politician do you admire or aspire to be
like?
I admire Raji Fashola for his administrative
effort; I admire Tinubu for his strong will and
resilience, and I also admire the innovative style
of Godswill Akpabio and his energetic mind in
nation-building. Those are the three people that
motivate me politically
Some people believe there’s no difference
between acting and politics..?
(Cuts in) There’s a huge difference. Politics is a
game, acting is more real. Politics is a game
because you’re dealing with people; it’s a game
of life. Acting deals with a way of life but they
are distinct in their ways, in their approaches
Many people perceive politics as a dirty game;
are they right in your own opinion?
I’ve always felt and I still feel that the Ministry
of National Orientation has failed as regards
this. I mean in giving people the right
orientation as regards politics and violence.
They have failed in their duty of sensitizing and
giving information to people on how they should
conduct themselves in a political dispensation.
The orientation should be a continuous thing,
not just during elections.
If people have been rightly sensitized that
violence is not part of politics, violence would
have disappeared in our politics.
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