Desmond Elliot Flays Obaseki Over Denigration Of Godfatherism

• Says Obaseki impeded the economic prosperity of Edo

An actor-turn-politician, Desmond Elliot has berated governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, over his campaign slogan.

The major mantra of Obaseki in the ongoing electioneering in Edo state ahead of the gubernatorial election is “Edo no be Lagos”, a mantra that many see as a parting swipe at an All Progressives Congress national leader, Bola Tinubu, who didn’t support his reelection bid.

But reacting to the governor’s campaign slogan, Elliot said Obaseki is casting aspersion on the very idea that spurred him to power, saying he wouldn’t have been a governor without godfatherism.

The movie star, who contested and won the Surulere constituency in 2015, was speaking about his foray into Nigeria’s political terrain during a recent interview ahead of Edo election.

Elliot, who also described his own political career as being a product of Godfatherism, said Tinubu has never told him to do anything that will put him in harms way.

“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.

Also Read: Edo 2020: Butchers Endorse Obaseki For 2nd Term

“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 pushing the slogan “Edo no be Lagos” after he left 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 sway electorates in Edo to his side has  been hinged on ending godfatherism, which he said, though potent in Lagos, 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 obstructed the state from attaining the economic prosperity level of Lagos.

“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.”