Desmond Elliot, actor-turn-politician, has tackled Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State over his fight against godfatherism, saying he (Obaseki) would not have become a governor without it.
The politician said this while speaking about his political career during an interview ahead of the September 19 governorship election in Edo state.
Elliot, who contested and won the Surulere constituency in 2015 said he is a product of godfatherism.
The Senator berated the governor for adopting “Edo no be Lagos” as his re-election mantra, saying Edo state has a lot to learn from Lagos state.
He stated;
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.
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.
After quitting All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek re-election under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Obaseki began to promote the slogan “Edo no be Lagos” in his fight against godfatherism.
Read Also: Breaking: Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki, Resigns From APC
Before his 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.
However, since his defection to PDP, Obaseki’s campaign has emphasised on ending godfatherism, which he said is effective in Lagos state but would not be permitted in Edo state.
In his reaction to this, Elliot also laughed off the context of Obaseki’s mantra that Edo won’t be like Lagos, claiming the Obaseki shielded his state from achieving the economic prosperity that Lagos has recorded.
He stressed;
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 explained;
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.
According to political analysts, the September 19 governorship election in Edo state is largely between Governor Obaseki of the PDP and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the APC.
