Actor turned politician Desmond Elliot has apologised to Nigerians for offending them with his comments about the Lekki shooting and EndSARS protest.

According to him, he did not mean to be insensitive or call the people “children” while addressing the National Aseembly.

His comments, Desmond Elliot explained in a Twitter thread, was borne out of the destruction caused to businesses by looters during the protests.

“I saw women crying and my constituent members distraught as a result of the damages inflicted on their source of livelihood. I was moved by this while giving my submission on the floor of the House,” he wrote.

Nigerians chastised Desmond Elliot for his comments following the EndSARS protests and the Lekki shooting.

In a now-viral video, the actor is heard calling out the youth and “children” for reigning insults on politicians after some security services opened fire on protesters in Lekki.

Desmond Elliot blamed the existence of social media and its influencers for “all the narrative we are seeing today.”

“If you’re tired, come and enter government.” – Desmond Elliot, member of Lagos House of Assembly. pic.twitter.com/YbHdnLGRtN

— Pulse Nigeria (@PulseNigeria247) October 29, 2020

His comment has infuriated a lot of his compatriots who are angry that Desmond Elliot chose to criticise the youth and what they do on social media instead of joining the fight against SARS.

According to some users, he “conveniently” focused on social media leaving out the many things people were fighting against during the EndSARS protests.

“Very disappointing statement from Desmond Elliot. He should talk about the root cause… Why did that happen? He should tell us,” one Twitter user wrote.

The actor believes he allowed his emotions to get the better of him which hurt his compatriots.

“Please, understand that even the best of us make mistakes. This is why, moving forward, I ask that we all try to engage constructively on the issues that affect all of us. I promise to do the same.”

“The pain that I feel for my constituents, the calls for assistance that I continue to get, and the need to mitigate against further destruction and violence will continue to drive my engagements and my work.”

Read the full post below:

I have read your honest feedback and suggestions and 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 and looting of businesses I witnessed when I went on a tour of my constituency.

I saw women crying and my constituent members distraught as a result of the damages inflicted on their source of livelihood. I was moved by this while giving my submission on the floor of the House.

2. I saw women crying and my constituent members distraught as a result of the damages inflicted on their source of livelihood. I was moved by this while giving my submission on the floor of the House.

— Desmond Elliot (@DesmondOElliot) October 29, 2020

I allowed my emotions get the better of me and for this I apologize to everyone my earlier statements may have hurt.

3. I allowed my emotions get the better of me and for this I apologize to everyone my earlier statements may have hurt.

— Desmond Elliot (@DesmondOElliot) October 29, 2020

Please, understand that even the best of us make mistakes. This is why, moving forward, I ask that we all try to engage constructively on the issues that affect all of us. I promise to do the same.

4. Please, understand that even the best of us make mistakes. This is why, moving forward, I ask that we all try to engage constructively on the issues that affect all of us. I promise to do the same.

— Desmond Elliot (@DesmondOElliot) October 29, 2020

The pain that I feel for my constituents, the calls for assistance that I continue to get, and the need to mitigate against further destruction and violence will continue to drive my engagements and my work.

5. The pain that I feel for my constituents, the calls for assistance that I continue to get, and the need to mitigate against further destruction and violence will continue to drive my engagements and my work.

— Desmond Elliot (@DesmondOElliot) October 29, 2020

6. I thank you all for expressing your views, and in the future, I promise to be more conscious and aware.

Together, we will build a better Nigeria.

End.

— Desmond Elliot (@DesmondOElliot) October 29, 2020

I thank you all for expressing your views, and in the future, I promise to be more conscious and aware. Together, we will build a better Nigeria.