The political tension surrounding Lagos lawmaker and Nollywood actor Desmond Elliot appears far from over, but this time, the actor-turned-politician is choosing humility over silence.
During an emotional appearance on TVC’s Your View on Friday, Desmond publicly apologised to Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over any offence he may have caused him through political misunderstandings and recent controversies linked to the Lagos State House of Assembly crisis.
The apology immediately caught public attention because it came months after Gbajabiamila openly revealed that he had almost lost his position in the Presidency over allegations tied to Elliot’s political activities during the Assembly leadership turmoil in Lagos.
At the height of the crisis, internal power struggles within the Lagos State House of Assembly created serious tension within the All Progressives Congress, with different camps reportedly battling for influence over the speakership.
The controversy eventually escalated to the national level, forcing top party figures and presidential insiders to intervene before calm was restored.
Gbajabiamila had earlier disclosed that President Bola Tinubu personally confronted him over intelligence reports allegedly linking Desmond Elliot to moves surrounding the Assembly leadership battle.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives denied the allegations at the time, but the revelation exposed how deeply the crisis affected political relationships behind the scenes.
Now, Desmond Elliot appears to be attempting to repair those strained ties publicly.
Speaking during the programme, the Surulere lawmaker described Gbajabiamila as more than just a political ally, calling him an “egbon” — a Yoruba term often used to describe an elder brother or mentor figure.
According to Elliot, his entire political growth was shaped under Gbajabiamila’s guidance, making the situation deeply emotional for him.
“I’m not saying, oh yes, media will come out and say Desmond begs again. Yes, because he’s my egbon. And I grew up learning everything I knew in politics through him,” he said.
The actor acknowledged that politics can create misunderstandings, especially when emotions and loyalty collide during internal party battles.
“To err is human, to forgive is divine. So I’m sorry, my daddy, if I’ve offended you in any way,” he added.
Desmond Elliot also extended a separate apology to a woman he referred to as the “matriarch of Surulere,” suggesting that the fallout from the political crisis may have affected several relationships within the constituency and party structure.
“To the matriarch of Surulere, mama, I’m sorry if I’ve offended you,” he said.
Despite the apology, Elliot maintained that he remains committed to strengthening the APC in Surulere and continuing his legislative work.
The lawmaker pointed to his political scorecard and developmental efforts in the constituency, insisting that his focus remains on governance and party unity rather than political distractions.
“But I will keep keeping the party strong. And to all Surulerians, my scorecard is there. You know the things I’ve done to make Surulere a better place,” he stated.
The public apology has already triggered mixed reactions online.
While some Nigerians praised Elliot for choosing peace and humility, others believe the apology reflects the growing political pressure surrounding his future ambitions in Lagos politics, especially amid reports of internal resistance against his continued dominance in Surulere politics.
The situation also highlights the fragile nature of political alliances within Lagos APC, where loyalty, influence, and internal power structures continue to shape careers behind closed doors.
For now, Desmond Elliot’s message appears clear — regardless of past disagreements, he wants reconciliation, party unity, and a chance to move forward politically without further division.