MKO Abiola inspired my passion for public service- Elliot

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Nollywood actor, Hon. Desmond Elliot, has said long before stepping into politics, his passion for public service was ignited in the 1990s through inspiration by the late Chief MKO Abiola.

Elliot who represents Surulere 1, made this known in an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo.

The actor turned politician said “In the mid-90s, when I started reading about MKO Abiola—Gospel truth—I became fascinated. I became very interested,” he said. “I didn’t have much money, but there’s this newspaper they used to sell in those days. I would read about this guy. I would read his story. I got so encouraged, and something kept pricking my heart, you know, that this is where you’re supposed to go through.

“In my heart, I’ve always known that everything I would do, I would have to walk with God on it. So one time I was praying, like, ‘God, okay, what of my life? What am I going to do?’ And he says, ‘No, just look at it one day at a time.’ As every day comes, everything begins to unravel, and you begin to understand,” the actor stated.

He credited APC chieftain Fouad Oki for mentoring him politically, even while he was still focused on his acting career.

“Even while acting, I’d visit Uncle Fouad Oki in the evenings to discuss politics. I was learning. My wife didn’t even take me seriously at the time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Elliot had opened up about his unexpected transition from the screen to the political stage, crediting former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole for introducing him to President Bola Tinubu and laying the groundwork for his political career.