Actor and politician Desmond Elliot has credited former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole with introducing him to politics and facilitating his meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
In an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Desmond shared, “One day, Oshiomhole took me to Asiwaju Tinubu and said, ‘This is my son, and he’s interested in politics.’ Asiwaju looked at me and said he already knew me and liked me. I was surprised, to be honest.”
Desmond also spoke about his experience running against fellow actor Olumide Oworu in the 2023 elections, clarifying that he bore no ill will toward his opponent. However, he expressed disappointment in some senior colleagues who chose to support Oworu instead. “I wasn’t upset with him,” Desmond said. “I was hurt by the veterans who endorsed him.”
The actor-politician also recounted a harrowing experience during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, where he narrowly escaped an attack by unknown assailants. The protests, which called for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), were sparked by widespread allegations of extrajudicial killings and extortion.
Desmond faced backlash during the protests when he controversially referred to Nigerian youths as “children” in a plenary session, a comment that drew sharp criticism while he served as a lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
