Yesterday, Nigerian actor turned politician, Desmond Elliot came under attack on social media following his comments on the #ENDSARS protests during a House of Assembly sitting.

In a video that has since gone viral, Mr Elliot is heard calling the youth of Nigeria  “children” and pushed for social media regulation, saying Nigerian celebrities and social media influencers promote hate speech in the country.

Lagos lawmaker, Desmond Elliot (@DesmondOElliot), on the recent events in Lagos and Nigeria:

“Social media has its negative impact.”
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“Please celebrities, social media influencers, stop the hatred already.” pic.twitter.com/L0rrLtAO6S

— Pulse Nigeria (@PulseNigeria247) October 29, 2020

His comments did not sit well with many Nigerians who called him out and he has since responded to the backlash with an apology on Twitter.

” I have read your honest feedback& suggestions& I sincerely apologize for addressing the youth as “Children” he tweeted and added that “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,” he wrote in a tweet.

1. I have read your honest feedback& suggestions& 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

— Desmond Elliot (@DesmondOElliot) October 29, 2020