Desmond Elliot: A Warm But Vilified Leader

The Nigerian Electoral cycle comes around every four years. Since the advent of the present democratic dispensation in May 1999, many political battles have been fought, lost and won.

Whilst it is evident that what birthed the present democratic experiment was a hurriedly prepared constitution that was handed down by the military regime of former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, yet, our democracy is still nascent after about twenty seven years of unhindered democratic process.

Though, prominent in the provisions of the 1999 constitution was allowing the process to thrive under a multiparty arrangement.

However, it needs to be stressed too that our democracy as thrived unhindered without any attendant military coups that had altered and truncated our past democratic experience since independence in 1960. More so, since 2003, successive civilian administration, have been making fundamental electoral blunders with incumbent administrations often throwing spanner to the works to manipulate electoral processes all in a bid to stay put in power.

In the face of these flawed electoral process, many parties through their respective party manifestos, have delivered the dividends of democracy to the masses.

Interestingly, some elected public officers without a seemingly attractive party manifestoes, have gone on to deliver on their electoral promises to the people that voted them into power.

In the light of the forgoing, I will like to address some critical issues with particular emphasis on the politics of Surulere Constituency 1 in Lagos State. Again, it is of common knowledge that one name has made headlines in this said political domain, and will continue to dwell in the minds of many in years to come and that is Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

Since his foray into politics where he was first elected into office in 2003, as a member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Surulere Federal Constituency 1, there’s no doubt that the political heavy weight has made humongous stride in the last 22 years.

Under the political tutelage of Lagos political juggernaut and current President and Commander In Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gbaja as he’s fondly called by many within and outside the political space, have been aided and supported by “Baba” to contest and emerge victorious in every elections since 2003.

Even at a particular point in time, there was called by youths and prominent stakeholders in Surulere to halt his re-election bid in 2019, but, he eventually wriggled his way out of the quagmire to emerge as the Speaker of the Federal House Of Representatives.

Given the support he (Gbaja) enjoyed in every electoral cycle, he has also indeed, held several positions in the Green Chamber as Chairman of several committees prior to his subsequent emergence as the Speaker of the Green Chamber in June 2019.

From the above narrative, it is crystal clear that Gbaja has held sway as a member of the green chamber for 20 years.In the light of the present circumstance, Gbaja who’s now become the Chief of Staff to the president has grown to become an influential political figure in the country albeit his influence in Surulere and by extension Lagos politics in recent time has been endemic.

And one of such influence is the apparent denial of Hon. Desmond Olusola Elliot, a fourth term successful re-election bid.

This seeming subtle move to scheme and subjugate the effort of the former movie star out of political relevance and oblivion at the expense of one Barr Mrs. Barakat Odunuga is completely unacceptable. And it’s now time for people with loud and discerning voices to stop Gbaja in his stride.

The continuous imposition of candidates to hoist the flag of the party without the input of party members is undemocratic.This trend has to stop and nip in the bud!There must be a discerning voice of opposition to revolt against this heinous trend which is about consuming one of the brightest prospect of Surulere political history in emerging as the next speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

What Hon. Desmond Olusola Elliot represents is experience, purposeful leadership, quality representation and impressive performance scorecard.

Whilst the obnoxious and malicious move to ostracise Hon. Desmond Olusola Elliot has been ongoing, there has also been a continued and sustained efforts at maligning his character by persons paid and sponsored by other desperate aspirants.

With all the lies, and verbal vituperation targeted at smearing his political career and image, he’s remained unperturbed, cool, and calm and collected.In fact, he’s acted responsibly by not been cowed or intimated in the wake of his present political ordeal.

He has repeatedly call on his supporters and loyalist to remain civil and continue to abide by the tenets of democracy (even with a seeming bully attitude and attack by rival supporters), which is indeed remarkable and unprecedented.

Again, as a card-carrying member of the party, let know one misconstrue my intention for putting up this piece. At a point in time, I have been one of the strongest critics of Hon. Desmond Olusola Elliot, but, having perused his performance scorecard in the last 11 years, I was taken aback from what I saw.

Interestingly, when I made a comprehensive assessment of his political scorecard in this said period, I can unequivocally concur that he deserves another term.

It is therefore expedient to allow this man take another shot at the State Assembly so that the good people of Surulere Constituency 1 could have a top ranking member in the Assembly which will bring more dividends of democracy to the people instead of a green horn that will take time to learn the rope, and all other nuances associated with law making.

Experience will certainly prevail over experiment if Hon. Elliot is allowed to go back to make a commanding presence that will attract meaningful projects to the area.

Given the political trajectory of his closest opponents, Hon. Barakat Odunuga Bakare and Hon. Oladipupo Jaji, it is safe to say that the devil you know is better than the angel Gbaja is trying to impose on the party.

With utmost respect and humility, I respectfully call on the Leadership of the APC at the National Level to wade into this issue of ostracising a credible candidate from contesting and hoisting the party flag in the next election.It is no secret that Hon. Desmond Olusola Elliot has paid his dues, and should not be treated with disdain or discarded like a trash can.

Similarly, I also call on the party leadership to rebuke and reprimand opposing party members who have embarked on campaign of calumny to smear the character of the ebullient and amiable politician, Hon. Desmond Olusola Elliot.

For avoidance of doubt, the following are the performance scorecard of Hon. Desmond Olusola ElliotLAUDABLE ACHIEVEMENTSHe’s sponsored so many motions in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Chief amongst these motions are:Acute shortage of water supply in Lagos State.Need to establish online Information Management System in Government Agencies in Lagos State.

Threat of ocean surge and flooding in Lagos StateNeed for creation of Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulation AgencyRehabilitation of Third Mainland BridgeCommendation in respect of Improved Medical facilities and Attitude of Health workers in Lagos State.

Furthermore, he co-sponsored the following motions:Mitigation of flooding in Lagos StateNeed to ensure quality control of manufactured and imported products in NigeriaNeed to control the continuous decline in the value of the Naira.

Labelling of imported alcoholic drinks as Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Nigeria.It is important to state that Hon. Desmond O. Elliot has sponsored and co-sponsored so many motions, but the complete compendium on my Facebook handle: Bassey Osung, YouTube Channel: Gruspin_TV, Instagram: gruspin_TV and TikTok page: gruspin_tv.Some of his other achievements are:DOE Widow’s Programme that has been part of his Empowerment Programme for Widows in the constituency. So much fortune has been sunk on this.

Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Programme for girls and women between ages of 18 – 35.Skills Acquisition Empowerment ProgrammeHe’s also a major contributor towards improvement in the power sector by distributing prepaid meters to homes and transformers to all CDAs in the Nine (9) wards of Surulere Constituency I.

He’s also provided free school rides to pupil and students across the entire breadth and length of the Constituency Free laptops, textbooks and other study materials have been handed to numerous schools in the Constituency.DOE Supports Vocational Training: As part of his laudable objectives. many youths have benefitted from his support to empowering them with requisite vocational skills to help them earn sustainable livingHe has also refurbished so many schools in the nooks and crannies of the Constituency.

He’s carried out so many surgical operations for indigent members of the Constituency.Other of his achievements are tertiary institution scholarship awards to some brilliant students of the Constituency.

He’s made tremendous impact since 2015, by having to foot the bills of some Muslims who travelled to Mecca for Hajj. He has also attended so many religious events even on short notice.Note: Please for a comprehensive assessment of Hon. Desmond O. Elliot.It is important to state that Hon. Desmond O. Elliot has sponsored and co-sponsored so many motions, but the complete compendium on my Facebook handle: Bassey Osung, YouTube Channel: Gruspin_TV, Instagram: gruspin_TV and TikTok page: gruspin_tv. Bassey O. OsungWard F1Surulere Constituency I