Desmond Elliot: I used my personal movie earnings to fund my legislative office

Nollywood actor-turned-politician Desmond Elliot has revealed that he relied on income from his film career to keep his constituency office running during his time in the Lagos State House of Assembly, saying the financial burden of public service came with significant personal sacrifices.

Speaking about the challenges he faced as the lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I, Elliot said he financed the day-to-day operations of his office with money earned from his movies rather than public funds.

“I used my personal funds from my movies to run the office while I was serving as a Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Surulere Constituency,” Elliot said.  

The three-term legislator noted that his political journey was marked by numerous setbacks, maintaining that public office was never a means of personal enrichment. He reiterated that he chose to serve despite the financial and political challenges that accompanied the role.  

Elliot, who was first elected to the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015, has frequently spoken about the realities of politics, including criticism, internal party disputes and the pressures of balancing public service with his career in Nollywood.