I Felt Sad Watching Desmond Elliot Kneel Before Gbajabiamila—Ope Banwo

The Mayor of Fadeyi and founder of Naija Lives Matter, Ope Banwo, has described as “sad and sobering” the sight of Lagos State House of Assembly member, Desmond Elliot, kneeling before the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and pleading for forgiveness.

Banwo said he was particularly affected by the incident because Elliot was already an accomplished actor, producer and public figure before venturing into politics.

Elliot was recently seen kneeling before Gbajabiamila during a meeting with APC leaders, seeking forgiveness and reconciliation following the political disagreement that arose from the party’s primary election for Surulere Constituency I.

In the video, Elliot apologised to Gbajabiamila and said he had no excuse for his actions, while referring to him as “Daddy.” Gbajabiamila subsequently asked him to get up.

Reacting to the development, Banwo said he struggled to understand why political power could make accomplished individuals appear to surrender so much of their independence to influential political figures.

“Desmond Elliot is someone I admired and liked a lot when I was actively involved in the entertainment sector. He was already a successful actor, producer and public figure long before politics,” Banwo said.

“That is precisely why watching the video of him go on his knees before Femi Gbajabiamila, begging for forgiveness over the political fallout between them, was deeply sad and sobering for me.”

Banwo, however, stressed that his concern was not about apologising or showing respect to someone who may have been offended.

“There is nothing wrong with apologising when you believe you have offended somebody. There is actually strength in apologising,” he said.

Rather, he questioned the circumstances under which political disagreements could result in accomplished adults publicly displaying such a high level of deference to political figures.

“There is a difference between respect and public self-abasement to appease another human being,” Banwo said.

“There is a difference between recognising higher political leadership and submitting your dignity and God-given will to another human all in a bid to be relevant in politics.”

The comments came after Elliot’s political dispute with the Lagos APC leadership over the party’s May primary. Elliot had withdrawn from the exercise, alleging that his supporters were intimidated and prevented from accessing the venue. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare subsequently emerged as the party’s candidate for the constituency.

Elliot later reaffirmed his loyalty to Gbajabiamila, describing him as his political father, mentor and leader, and said no political ambition or temporary disagreement was worth damaging their relationship.

Banwo said the incident had also made him reflect on the wider relationship between political ambition and personal independence.

“I have watched lawyers, professors, businessmen, entertainers, doctors and otherwise highly accomplished people enter politics and gradually become people I hardly recognise,” he said.

He added that people who had built successful careers through their own abilities could become increasingly dependent on political patrons once they entered the political arena.

Banwo nevertheless said he wished Elliot well, stressing that his comments were directed at the political environment rather than intended as a personal attack on the lawmaker.

“Some opportunities are simply too expensive if the admission price is your independence and dignity,” he said.

“I wish Desmond well. I genuinely do.”

He concluded: “Let politicians do their politics. If you are already successful in your profession and you voluntarily put your head inside that political ecosystem, whatever your eyes see there… you have to take it like that.”