BREAKING: I Ask Myself: If I Leave Asiwaju And Go To Obi, What Is Different Between Asiwaju And Obi? – Elliot

Please Important Notice: Reading on PHOENIX? Click “Read Original” to Access the Full Story..

Former Lagos State House of Assembly member representing Surulere Constituency I, Desmond Elliot, has called for greater ideological clarity in Nigerian politics, questioning what fundamentally distinguishes major political figures beyond party affiliations.

Speaking during an appearance on Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s television programme on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Elliot reflected on his 12-year journey in politics and argued that Nigeria’s political landscape is often driven more by personalities than clearly defined political philosophies.

The actor-turned-politician said he frequently asks himself what ideological differences truly exist among leading political figures, including President Bola Tinubu and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

“I ask myself: if I leave Asiwaju and go to Obi, what is different between Asiwaju and Obi? If I leave Obi and go to Atiku, what is my difference? What is my ideological difference? What defines me? What makes me different?” he said.

According to Elliot, one of the major challenges confronting Nigeria’s democracy is the absence of clearly articulated political ideologies that allow voters and politicians to distinguish between competing visions for governance.

He argued that politicians should be able to identify where they stand on critical issues, including economic policy, welfare programmes and governance philosophy, rather than merely aligning themselves with political personalities.

Elliot said Nigerian politics would benefit from deeper conversations about values, governance models and national priorities, insisting that political actors should be defined by ideas and principles rather than shifting allegiances.

The former lawmaker also stressed the need for Nigeria to develop a democratic system that reflects its unique realities, noting the country’s ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity.

According to him, the nation must engage in broader discussions about its political future and governance structure, rather than focusing solely on electoral contests and personalities.

Elliot’s remarks come amid growing debates over political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with discussions intensifying around potential alliances, opposition strategies and the future direction of the country’s democratic process.