No rift with Gbajabiamila, says Desmond Elliot
Popular actor and Lagos lawmaker, Desmond Elliot, has dismissed reports of a rift between him and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the Surulere constituency seat
Popular actor and Lagos lawmaker, Desmond Elliot, has dismissed reports of a rift between him and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the Surulere constituency seat in the State House of Assembly.
Elliot, who is seeking a fourth term in the Assembly, said he could never have a quarrel with Gbajabiamila, whom he described as his leader.
“As a Yoruba boy, we were trained never to have a quarrel with a leader or elder. I can never have a rift with my leader, Hon Gbajabiamila is my leader,” he said during an interview organised by Giant Women in Media, yesterday.
Asked about the rumoured endorsement of another aspirant, Barakat Bakare, for the seat by Gbajabiamila, Elliot said the respected leader has not made any declaration to that effect, adding that it was speculative.
“If I take a picture with him tomorrow and post it online, people can also say he has endorsed me. So, it is still circumstantial until there is a clear declaration,” he said.
According to Elliot, he informed Gbajabiamila before meeting party apex leaders ahead of his declaration for another term and received his blessings.
“I told him I was going to see the apex leaders and he gave me his blessings,” he added.
Defending his bid for a fourth term, Elliot argued that legislative experience and seniority typically translate into greater opportunities and benefits for constituents.
“When you become a ranking member, more responsibilities and opportunities come your way. Surulere deserves to benefit from that experience and influence,” he said.
The lawmaker said some of the bills and motions he had sponsored include the Tourism Promotion Agency Bill, harmonisation of environmental laws and a proposed Lagos State Public Works Corporation Bill that will ensure equitable distribution of public works projects across the IBILE divisions of Lagos State.
He also highlighted a motion on the digitalisation of the healthcare sector, explaining that it would enable seamless access to patients’ medical records across government hospitals.
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Beyond legislation, Elliot listed several constituency interventions he facilitated in Surulere, including road projects, electricity interventions, youth empowerment schemes, healthcare programmes, scholarships, vocational training and environmental sanitation initiatives.
“In the area of roads, I facilitated close to 30 roads across Surulere,” he said.
The lawmaker also said he facilitated transformers and prepaid meters in areas with poor electricity supply and ensured residents benefited from government metering schemes.
On the controversial proposal to site a cemetery around the Babs Animashaun and Chief Natufe area, Elliot said he sided with residents opposing the project because of concerns over environmental and health implications.
“The people are saying the area is waterlogged and close to homes. They fear it could pollute groundwater in the future,” he said.
The lawmaker said he was optimistic he would secure the party's ticket at the primaries, declaring his faith in God and his record of service.
