Social media can destroy Nigeria before 2025 — Desmond Elliot

Desmond Elliot, the lawmaker representing Surulere 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, has warned that Nigeria may not exist in the next five years if hate is allowed to fester on social media.

The actor turned politician who calls himself “a product of godfathersm, issued the warning while addressing the Lagos State House of Assembly at plenary.

Elliot is also reportedly backing a move to regulate social media and curtail free speech in Nigeria. He denied doing so. But his comments in a video leaked online suggests something else.

The lawmaker lamented over the looting that occasioned the End SARS protests across the country. Elliot also urged social media influencers, celebrities to stop spreading hate via social media.

He called on Nigerians to use their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, to change government when necessary.

“We need to address certain things, the Nigerian youths, social media, social influencers, all of these are making the narratives we are seeing today, except we are joking with ourselves,” he said.

“Social media, though it’s good but has its negative impact, let me first thank you for condemning the killings at Lekki.

“When I read the comments, I could not believe it, Mr Speaker. The curses, abuses from children and I asked myself is this Nigeria, what is going on?

“Children cursing, people entering Oba’s palace and removing his staff of office, our culture is gone.

“Mr Speaker, in the next five years there will be no Nigeria if we don’t start now.

“Youths, children, pregnant women looted malls, Mr Speaker when will this narrative change?”

Elliot also called for the restructuring of Nigeria into regions with states given greater control over their own affairs.

Elliot’s comments on social media echoed that of information minister Lai Mohammed who said that the government must acquire the technology to “shut down the internet at will”.