Actor Desmond Elliot apologizes over leaked video

Nigerian actor and director turned politician Desmond Elliot is under fire over his speech on social media regulation at Lagos State House of Assembly. In a viral, leaked video that surfaced on Thursday, October 29, 2020, amidst protests against police brutality as part of the #EndSars movement, Elliot called on the speaker to address what he termed as social media excesses by influencers, celebrities and the youth.

“The Nigerian youth, social media, social influencers, all of these are making the narratives that we are seeing today. Social media, though good, has its negative impacts,” said the Surulere constituency representative. “When I went through the comments, I could not believe it, Mr Speaker. The curses, the abuses from children. And I ask myself ‘Is this Nigeria? What is going on?’ Children cursing?”

A message that did not augur well with many, including fellow actor Yul Edochie, who ranted “With all the problems in this country; poor health care, poverty, bad roads, poor educational systems, doctors running out of the country, terrorism, inflation, etc., your headache is social media? So you can stop us from speaking out? Shame on you all”. “Desmond Elliot just destroyed all the precious childhood memories he gave us in movies ….” added singer Davido on Twitter.

Backed into a corner, the actor ate humble pie and apologized later that day, saying he erred in his earlier statements. “I sincerely apologize for addressing the youth as ‘Children’ I did not mean to be insensitive with this, it was borne out of the magnitude of destruction & looting of businesses I witnessed when I went on a tour of my constituency. I allowed my emotions to get the better of me and for this, I apologize to everyone my earlier statements may have hurt,” said Elliot.

He then went on to deny claims made by popular UK-based Nigerian doctor and influencer Dr Olufunmilayo that he was sponsoring a bill on social media use. “Please, I beg of you, I beg us and everyone. This is not true, it is totally unfounded. Dr Olufunmilayo, why don’t you even verify? Aren’t we going through a lot already? It is not true, period,” explained the award-winning lawmaker.

Adding: “No State House of Assembly has the jurisdiction to pass any bill like this, it is not possible. It simply lies on the exclusive list on the federal level. You can’t. Every member has a right to say something but you can’t. The only thing I said towards social media was that the celebrities, social influencers and motivational speakers should know we have followers so we should please cut down on the hate narrative. Everyone is going through so much right now.”