Congratulatory messages have started pouring in for popular Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot, from his fans and well wishers, following the news that he emerged winner of the primary election of the All Progressives Congress in Surulere Constituency 1, Lagos on Monday.
Most of the messages came from youths, who can be described as the direct targets of his ambition to grab a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2105.
Against all odds, Elliot defeated the incumbent representative of Surulere Constituency 1, Kabiru Lawal, to get the party’s ticket in the forthcoming general election.
Although winning the primary does not automatically translate to securing the seat at the House of Assembly, observers believe that the seriousness, effort, energy and resources invested by the actor in the pursuit of his ambition, and the fact that he has won in a competitive election is significant. They believe that this is capable of boosting the morale of many of his colleagues, who would rather yearn for perks from the desks of political office holders. Interestingly, sources say Elliot enjoyed the support of APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Reacting to the news of the victory online, a fan named Remi Segun-Adeniyi wrote, “I give it to you, bro. You refused to stay back and continue complaining. Now you have an opportunity to contribute to the change that we are talking about. I wish you all the best and success in the general election.”
Another fan, Samuel Onyebig, congratulated Elliot for standing his ground, in spite of what the commentattor called the acts of intimidation from those who failed to buy into his idea of change, in the first place.
Urging more young Nigerians follow the actor’s example, Onyebig said, “If we have more young people who are willing to come out and challenge the older politicians, I think there will definitely be a change in the Nigerian political arena.”
Also, Olufemi Adeniyi expressed satisfaction with Elliot’s choice of political party and prayed God to save the country from the hands of her “enemies”.
However, the actor’s victory did not come as a surprise to many people who have followed his pre-primary campaign closely. At different times, he had adopted strategies aimed at drawing the attention of the electorate. One of them was getting celebrities, such as ex-Super Eagles star, Nwankwo Kanu, to publicly endorse his ambition.
As part of his campaign effort, Elliot, who studied Economics at the Lagos State University, Ojo, before starting a career in Nigeria’s film industry, offered scholarships to about 15 undergraduates of the National Open University of Nigeria. The beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme were said to have received letters of admission to study at the university.
The gesture appears to be in line with Elliot’s promise to focus on empowering the youth for change through education. The scheme, he had explained at the time, was meant to encourage the beneficiaries to excel in their studies.
Also, he opened a medical health insurance scheme for 20 elderly men and women in Surulere Constituency 1 through his campaign platform with the hashtag, #DOE.
While Elliot won in the primaries on Tuesday, his colleague in the entertainment sector, singer Kenny Saint Best, lost to another aspirant, Folajimi Mohammed, a son of APC’s spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Ikeja Constituency 1.
Dayo Adeneye also lost in Ogun State.
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