Lagos: Desmond Elliot prostrates before Gbajabiamila, seeks forgiveness

Lagos State lawmaker and Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot, has again apologised to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over his actions during the last All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.

The lawmaker made the fresh apology during a meeting with Gbajabiamila and some party chieftains, where he begged on his knees and prostrated before the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, seeking to mend fences with his political mentor and reconcile with the APC leadership in Lagos.

According to a video shared by Lagos Junction on X on Sunday, Elliot expressed regret over his actions, saying he might have been misguided during the primary and was prepared to restore his relationship with the party leadership.

The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly also pledged to renew his loyalty to the party’s leadership, stressing the importance of reconciliation and unity within the APC.

“I’m sorry. I have no excuse; I have nothing other than to say I’m deeply sorry. I’m deeply sorry, sir. And in our culture, we prostrate. Don’t be angry, Daddy,” Elliot said.

Gbajabiamila subsequently asked Elliot to get up after the lawmaker’s apology.

Elliot renews plea for forgiveness

The latest gesture is not the first time Elliot has publicly apologised to Gbajabiamila over the political disagreement.

Recall that the lawmaker had earlier apologised to the former House Speaker during an appearance on TVC’s Your View, where he acknowledged that he might have offended his political mentor in the course of his political engagements.

Elliot said any misunderstanding between them was unintentional, maintaining that his respect for Gbajabiamila remained intact despite the political differences that had emerged.

He explained that Gbajabiamila was not only his senior political associate but also someone from whom he learnt much of what he knows about politics.

“I’m not saying, oh, yes, media will come out, oh yes, Desmond begs again. Yes, because he’s my egbon. And I grew up learning everything I knew in politics through him,” he said.

He added, “To err is human, to forgive is divine. So I’m sorry, my daddy, if I’ve offended you in any way.”

Apology follows Lagos APC leadership crisis

The renewed apology comes against the backdrop of political tensions surrounding the Lagos State House of Assembly leadership crisis, which created divisions among members of the ruling party.

The dispute was linked to disagreements over the leadership of the Assembly and the political interests of various factions within the Lagos APC.

During the height of the crisis, Gbajabiamila disclosed that he had faced difficulties at the Presidency over intelligence reports alleging Elliot’s involvement in moves surrounding the Assembly speakership tussle.

Elliot denied the allegation at the time, while the political disagreement continued to generate reactions within the party.

The crisis eventually attracted interventions from senior APC leaders as efforts were made to resolve the disagreements and restore stability to the Lagos State chapter of the party.

Elliot’s latest action appears to signal a renewed effort to put the dispute behind him and rebuild his relationship with Gbajabiamila and other influential figures within the party.

His decision to publicly seek forgiveness also comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with party leaders expected to maintain unity and manage internal disagreements.