Nigerians Still Holding Grudges? Desmond Elliot Faces Fresh Criticism Over Past Comments

 

It appears that some Nigerians are still finding it hard to move on from Desmond Elliot’s controversial stance during the #EndSARS protests—and they’re not keeping quiet about it.

Recently, Desmond Elliot—popular Nollywood actor turned politician—took to Instagram to share some dashing new photos of himself. Dressed in a stylish green native outfit, he looked every bit the sophisticated gentleman. As expected, fans flooded the comment section, with many admiring his outfit and dropping compliments.

However, not everyone was in the mood for fashion talk.

Among the comments, one particularly stood out and quickly gained traction. An Instagram user with the handle @iam_valasor ignored the style praise and instead dropped a very emotional and telling comment. He wrote:

"I really don't know why... But ever since that year you went and spoke against us 'Nigerian youths', seeing your post just dey vex vex me, no offense but it is what it is."

This comment instantly struck a chord with many Nigerians, especially those who remember Desmond Elliot's controversial speech in the Lagos State House of Assembly during the peak of the #EndSARS movement in 2020. At the time, Elliot was seen by many young Nigerians as taking sides with the government rather than supporting the youth-led protest against police brutality. His statements were widely criticized and even trended online for weeks.

Even though it's been a few years since that moment, this recent comment shows that for some Nigerians, the wounds are still fresh. It reflects how deeply hurt many people were by what they saw as a betrayal from someone who used to be beloved by the public—not just as a movie star, but as someone who was supposed to represent their voice in politics.

What makes this particular interaction even more interesting is how Desmond Elliot chose to respond. Instead of clapping back or defending himself, he simply replied in a calm and slightly humorous tone. He said:

"Ngwanu no vex. Na wa o."

This loosely translates to “Okay, no vex. What can I say?”—a response that some might interpret as an attempt to diffuse tension, while others may see it as dismissive or not taking accountability.

Regardless of interpretation, one thing is clear: Desmond Elliot still has a long way to go when it comes to regaining the trust and support of a large segment of Nigerian youth. Social media never forgets, and this recent exchange is proof that the past continues to follow him, even as he tries to move forward in his political and public life.

So, what do you think—should Nigerians finally let go and forgive Desmond Elliot? Or are these feelings of resentment still justified?

Let us know in the comments below.