Desmond Elliot Returns to Nollywood After Losing APC Ticket

Desmond Elliot, the lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, appears to have returned to his acting career following his recent defeat in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.

The actor-turned-politician caused reactions online after photographs of him on a movie set surfaced on social media.

In the pictures, Elliot was seen alongside popular actor Ibrahim Chatta during what appeared to be an ongoing film production.

The images quickly attracted attention from fans and followers, many of whom expressed excitement at the possibility of seeing the former Nollywood star return to the screen after years of active involvement in politics.

Elliot has been one of the most recognisable figures to successfully move from Nollywood movie industry into elective politics.

Since his election into the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015, he has represented Surulere Constituency I and served three consecutive terms under the platform of the APC.

His political future suffered a setback recently when he failed to secure the party’s ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lawmaker lost the APC primary election to former Lagos State Special Adviser on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who recorded a commanding victory across the constituency.

The outcome of the primary effectively ended Elliot’s bid for a fourth consecutive term in the Assembly.

Despite the loss, Elliot has remained largely silent on his next political move. His appearance on a movie set has, however, fuelled speculation that he may now devote more time to Nollywood, the industry that first brought him national fame before he ventured into politics.

Before entering public office, Elliot built a successful career as an actor, producer and filmmaker.

He featured in numerous television productions and movies and became one of the most familiar faces in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

However, neither Elliot nor his media team has publicly announced a permanent return to Nollywood. Though, the photos and videos of his recent acting have continued to circulate widely online.

Politics Nigeria recalls that Elliott spoke in May during a television interview amid the controversy surrounding the Surulere APC Primary Election.

He publicly addressed reports that he had been pressured to abandon his re-election ambition.

The lawmaker insisted that no directive had come from his political leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.

“Because I was not asked by him, my leader, never,” Elliot said.

He further explained that he personally informed Gbajabiamila of his intention to seek another term in office.

“Even the day I declared, I flew to Abuja to see him again to tell him, ‘Oga, I am here again,’” he stated.

The relationship between Elliot and Gbajabiamila became a major talking point after the controversy surrounding the impeachment of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa earlier in 2025.

During a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, Gbajabiamila reportedly expressed displeasure over the role played by some lawmakers in the impeachment saga.

The development further fuelled rumours of strained relations between the former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Elliot.

Responding to the issue, Elliot denied masterminding the move against Obasa.

“It was a topic that was already dead and buried. It was sorted out, and the House is already moving on,” he said.

The lawmaker maintained that he was not among those who initiated the process.

“I did not mastermind anything. I had nothing at all. The only thing I did was to append my signature when I came back, and I saw a bunch of us, if not all of us, had already appended a signature,” he added.

Elliot also admitted that he was surprised by comments linking him to the crisis.

“So, my leader coming to say this, that he almost lost his job, one I have served and who has always been there for me for this long, to have said that came to me as a shock,” he said.

Days later, the primary election delivered a decisive outcome. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare secured an overwhelming victory, while Elliot suffered a crushing defeat in his bid to return to the Assembly.

Following the result, Elliot challenged the process and vowed to seek redress within the party.

“I’m a party person. This is my home. We are not accepting this process,” he said after the exercise.