Actor-turned-politician Desmond Elliot has called on Nigerians to focus more on holding their own elected representatives accountable rather than criticising politicians from constituencies where they neither live nor vote.
Speaking on the Morayo Afolabi-Brown Podcast on June 23, 2026, Elliot argued that democratic accountability is most effective when constituents actively monitor the performance of officials elected to represent them.
“Surulere should talk about Surulere. Talk about who represents you,” he said.
His comments came amid reactions to a viral photograph of former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani presenting a constituent with a transistor radio, a gesture that sparked debate on social media over the value of constituency empowerment projects.
Referencing the controversy, Elliot suggested that outsiders may not fully understand the needs and priorities of communities different from their own.
“It’s not about one Chibuzor talking about what Abdullahi is doing in the north because I gave him a transistor radio,” he stated.
The former Lagos State House of Assembly member maintained that residents are best positioned to assess whether their representatives are delivering results. He urged citizens to question their lawmakers about campaign promises, constituency projects, and legislative performance.
According to Elliot, stronger grassroots engagement would improve democratic governance and ensure elected officials remain responsive to the needs of the people they serve.
