Veteran Nigerian Actor, Desmond Elliot has revealed how he combines acting with politics. Four years after his first political win, the 45-year-old actor cum politician has apparently found a working formula.
In a chat with Premium Times, he said; “I don’t actually act as much, but I’m actually behind the scene and behind the camera. The reason why I do this is that I don’t want to give the impression that ‘I don dey where money dey and I don forget them’ (I am now in riches and I have forgotten Nollywood).”
“At the end of the day, you must fall back to something. So, I’m still making sure that Nollywood grows. I’m not necessarily acting but my company still produces movies, I ensure it happens,” he added.
Speaking on how he has been able to catch-up, despite no basic Political background, the Politician commented;
“To be quite honest, even the political world is demanding so, I do less of entertainment things now. This is because even politically I have to grow, now this is my second term. I’m not hoping in my third term I want to remain like this, ‘me sef go wan go up’ (I want to move higher).”
“That means for that to happen, I’ll have to learn the ropes better. For instance, I’m currently running two masters programmes, one in Business Administration and the other in Social Studies. I must ‘sharpen’ my brain, and then politically, I have to be very involved,” he enthusiastically added.
Speaking on life as an actor as opposed to life as a lawmaker, Desmond Elliot said; “Some people like me are born actors while others have to learn and perfect their craft. But it doesn’t mean that people who learn will not achieve results. It just comes to me naturally. As a politician, it’s not as easy for me. Unfortunately, I am the person the people at the grassroots can see; they can’t see Ambode, they can’t see President Buhari, so they ask you for things that you can’t even do. And where are the resources coming from? Because of that I can’t say I am running away, because I will need them four years later, so I also have to try to be there for them.”
