Over 5,000 youths on Sunday gathered at the Eagle Square, Surulere, Lagos to interact with actor, Desmond Elliot, and to endorse his candidature for the All Progressives Congress constituency seat of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Elliot wants to represent Surulere Constituency One.
The interactive session started with questions and answers, with lots of youth from Surulere and its environ raising issues bothering on his success, political aspirations and challenges.
Elliot, who was ably supported by some Nollywood practitioners and political gladiators in Surulere, answered each question calmly and never failed to remind the audience it was not yet time for political campaign.
One of the youths from Masha, Aabu Hawawu, who spoke of Elliot’s candidacy, said: “The actor should not be discouraged by those who said actors have no business in politics.
“If doctors, engineers, lawyers can contest for elective posts, why can’t actors?”
Elliot spoke to a resounding applause of the over 5,000 youths.
Speaking further, Hawawu said: “People in other professions have promised people nothing but lies.
“We now need new set of people with new ideas.
“If there’s anyone that could do that, Mr. Desmond is it.
“His resourcefulness over the years has made him one of the top actors in the industry and across Africa.
“He will bring resourcefulness and new level of thinking to governance and development to Surulere.”
Another youth, Michael Omorogbu, from Lagos State University, asked if Elliot was ready to compete with political heavyweights in Surulere Constituency.
Elliot answered: “I am not in the race to compete but to offer qualitative and superior ideas.
“My people, I didn’t get to be a top actor by competing with anybody.
“The only competitor I have is myself.
“I try to get better at my work.
“I try to improve without getting the other man down.
“I’m bringing the same into politics.
“We are offering qualitative ideas, proffering solutions and we seek only to promote the lives of the people by bringing government and its dividends to the doorsteps of our people, especially in Surulere.”
Speaking after the event with journalists, Elliot said: “I have plans of taking this above legislative work.
“I believe 80 per cent of the youths should have access to tertiary education and still earn a living.
“So we have a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Open University on admissions and to grant the students work permit.
“There is also an empowerment programme for the youths, which will come up soon.
“We also have plans for the elderly ones with an insurance scheme.”
The actor, who graduated from LASU, promised a wave of change and said he was sure of winning Surulere for APC as soon as he gets the ticket to run.
The interactive session came to an end with Elliot appreciating the political leaders, members of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, actors, actresses and over 5,000 youths in attendance.