Why i use 'OLUSOLA' in my political campaigns - Desmond Elliot

Since Desmond Elliot, revealed his decision to contest for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat, he has gone under public scrutiny over their political ambition, many also doubting his ethnicity.

Since the popular Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot, set his eyes on the Lagos State House of Assembly, the bone of contention has been on the name ‘Olushola’ which he has adopted.



Until recently, a lot of Nigerians did not know the actor is a Yoruba man till his campaign posters surfaced online. In a recent interview, the actor said that he has never denied his ethnicity. He said that while growing up, the name everybody called him was Shola.

“Where I grew up in Surulere they know me by the name Shola and that is what they call me. I use Desmond Elliot which is my first and last name for my profession basically because I wanted to remain neutral, you could not tell where I come from. It is not because I am ashamed of where I come from. If I was, I would not be involved in Yoruba films or any Yoruba events neither will my kids have Yoruba names,” he said.

For those who still doubt his roots, the dark skinned movie producer said that his father is from Lagos Island while his mother is from Delta State.

Elliot said, “In the interviews that I have done, I have never denied that I am Yoruba, I always mentioned my names. People have always guessed where I come from and I left it open because truthfully I am a Nigerian. I am a Yoruba man and I would never deny other tribes that I have come in contact with. I am Yoruba by birth, I schooled in the North, I married someone from the South and my mother is from Delta State.

“I am from Olowogbowo in Lagos Island; it is not something that is hidden. I tell people that say I don’t identify with the Yoruba race that I do so because I have done several Yoruba movies. At what point did the name become an issue, have I not been a worthy citizen of Lagos State?”