Desmond Elliot, an actor-turn-politician, has tackled Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state, saying he wouldn’t be in power without godfatherism.
The movie star, who contested and won the Surulere constituency in 2015, was speaking about his incursion into Nigeria’s political scene during a recent interview ahead of Edo election.
Elliot berated the governor for adopting “Edo no be Lagos” as his re-election mantra. He also described his own political career as being a product of godfatherism.
“A godfather always tries to look after the interest of his people. I’m a product of godfatherism but Tinubu has never for one day asked me to do something you know would be detrimental,” he said.
“It’s progressive. So, let him (Obaseki) not castigate the whole thing. If not for godfatherism, would he be where he is today? My point isn’t even about him; it’s that I want to talk about my candidate.”
Obaseki had begun to promote the slogan “Edo no be Lagos” after he ditched the All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek re-election under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Before defection, he met Bola Tinubu for endorsement as a candidate ahead of Edo gubernatorial election but the APC leader had referred him to the direct primaries endorsed by the party.
After the governor went through the direct primaries as recommended, he was disqualified by the committee set-up by Adams Oshiomhole, his estranged godfather, who doubles as his predecessor.
But since his defection to PDP, Obaseki’s campaign strategy to attract votes from Edo people had touched on ending godfatherism, which he said is effective in Lagos but won’t be tolerated in Edo.
Speaking further, Elliot also laughed off the context of Obaseki’s mantra that Edo won’t be like Lagos, claiming the latter shielded the state from achieving the economic prosperity that Lagos has recorded.
“But when you say ‘can not be’, you’re already putting a cover. And I’m a spiritual person. You cannot say such things. We have pastors and Imams that will break the yoke,” the actor added.
“You can’t say it won’t be when Lagos makes an IGR of over 30 billion every month. You can’t hear about unpaid salaries or pension. You see projects coming up, investors, and investment coming.
“We are the fifth-largest economy in Africa. So why will you say Edo can’t be Lagos because you are trying to sell an idea? Let me tell you something, loyalty is important.”
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Oh…my Desmond… God bless you for speaking the bitter truth.. Please I need Obaseki shutdown re-election 19th…im from Benin City… Obaseki made a mistake!
Obaseki come let me leacture u better ways to go..u need to go plead for forgiveness…
Clap for yoursrlf. Compare the things your mate who are liberated and are at freedon are doning in their various constituencies and the ones those of you who are slaves and are nailed under oath (under god-father), have done for your prople. Compare both, if truly you find out that you have done better then you can talk whatever you like about Obaseki unwilling to be a slave like you.
Benin is not Lagos. We will get to see that clear definition very soon. The disagreement between Obaseki and Osho is on principle not on political slanders. Desmond preferred icing the cake than baking it. The nitty gritty of the obaseki and osho brouhaha is on “dont do this and do this” while an amobode could easily be frustrated out an obaseki prefers to swin the tide and prove his mettle.
You people keep making references to Ambode’s case. Between Ambode his conscience and God Ambode himself knew that he messed up big time, because he has attitude problem. Of course somebody had to throw you up and stand by you, with humongous resources before getting to such positios. Who knew Ambode or Obaseki before they became governors.
Edo is not Lagos! Short statement but very deep. The import of the statement would be, in a few days, be clearly defined. The disagreement between Obaseki and Oshomole is purely on principle and not based on political slangs. Desmond preferred to ice cake than bake it. I mean that Desmond pitifully, shyed away from hitting the bull by the eye because of his political breastfeeding. The issues between Obaseki and Oshomole ( i dont know them personally) are on “dont do this and do this”. While an Ambode would be frustrated and give up the fight by not testing his strength for what he believed in because of one dictate master, an Obaseki prefers to swin the tide and prove his mettle. In the end, giving a free and credible election, the godfather has one voter’s card and the people’s choice is the real godfather. By the way Desmond, do you think you can win your ward, if votes count in your clime? Edo is not Lagos.
Desmond do not know what he is saying.
Was Lagos economy build by their godfather or governors?
It was built by federal government and it was once a capital city.
What Lagos benefits today has nothing to do with their government.
He can be a puppet forever but obaseki refuse to be a puppet.
A true sycophant, an hypocrite a morally backward fellow that what you’ve just proven in this your interview. “Edo is not Lagos” to every Edolites means we don’t want grandfather here. Bo room for oshiomole to be another tinubu. The way you people push a performing Ambode to have a rubber stamp sowolu is not welcome here Apc have failed the nation as a party. We in Edo state have decided to vote for individual not party this time. You’ve just proven to be an F9 candidate not knowing what Edo is not Lagos mean where has your fuel hike gathering at ojota during JONATHAN landed us now. For once learn to tell Nigerians the truth
yes, you are right, the differences eluded them, the differences, between true democracy and godfather ism, the qualities of learning is at dismal level our schools are not performing, and its from the direct result of what we have made as valuable in our country, departing from truthfulness to being deceitful.
desmond idiot
Loyalty is a virtue and a good and Godly character trait
is that really grassroots democracy, when the local people are denied the rights to choose their own representatives, no wonder Nigeria is floundering and rudderless. so many devious gods to be assuaged before serving the desperate and deprived citizenry.
I hope you know the difference between loyalty and slavery
True talk but not to all…. The problem is that Oshomole was supposed to be loyal to Obaseki because Obaseki single handedly sponsored him with his money.
Though if you are in APC, you are in a wrong party just like Former president Obasanjo just said to Buhari that Nigeria has finished under his watch who was also OVERTHROWNED as a military head of state. Buhari is living on Goodluck’s glories. To say, Eliot, Godfatherism is meanness to politics, a highly corrupt practice that should be done under the closeth and must be said in a very remote form because it tarnishes the incumbent image. It is a shameful word to be used out there than be honored. It must be seen to be completely eradicated, so don’t go for it or take pride in it. I didn’t know you joined politics, Eliot, a good actor.
You make me Sick!!
Is that how good you think Nigeria should “be” (Godfatherlism)
“Eat your Shit Desmond.”
Desmond, at times silence is golden. This rubbish you just vomited from your mouth may come back to hunt you in the future. You are not the only one that have benefited from godfatherism neither will you be the last. Wait until after the election before you start talking about who is right or wrong between Obaseki and Oshiomole.
Lagos state government makes such huge amount of money and yet no good road or well plan city.
The yorubas yes, believed so much in godfatherism than the Almighty God.in what ever they do. So they worship them. That is what Desmond Elilot is doing. lf Edo people believed dat dey are part of NigerDelta all these nonesense politics of war no go dey
Simply put: I am disappointed in you Desmond. What a shame!