Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has disclosed that he almost lost his appointment at the Presidency because of the alleged involvement of Nollywood actor-turned-lawmaker, Desmond Elliot, in the impeachment of former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, last year.
Gbajabiamila made the revelation while speaking at a political gathering in Lagos, where he reflected on the internal crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly and the political tensions that followed the controversial removal of Obasa as Speaker.
According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, the political developments surrounding Obasa’s impeachment created serious consequences for several political actors within Lagos State and beyond, including himself.
“I almost lost my job as Chief of Staff because of Desmond Elliot,” Gbajabiamila reportedly said while addressing party members and supporters.
He explained that Elliot’s alleged involvement in the impeachment plot generated political backlash and suspicion that eventually affected key figures associated with Lagos politics at the federal level.
Although Gbajabiamila did not provide full details of how the matter nearly cost him his position in President Tinubu’s administration, his remarks have stirred fresh conversations about the lingering political crisis within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress.
The impeachment of Obasa had triggered intense controversy within the political structure of Lagos State, dividing lawmakers and party loyalists into rival camps.
At the time, reports indicated that disagreements over leadership style, control of the Assembly, and internal political alignments contributed to the move against the former Speaker.
Desmond Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, was among lawmakers allegedly linked to the impeachment process, although details of his exact role remained a subject of political speculation.
Gbajabiamila’s latest remarks suggest that the crisis may have had wider implications beyond the Lagos Assembly, extending to the Presidency and the national leadership of the ruling party.
Political observers believe the statement underscores the influence of Lagos politics on national power dynamics, especially given the strategic roles played by key Lagos politicians within the Tinubu administration.
The Chief of Staff, however, did not indicate whether the issue had been fully resolved or whether tensions still existed among stakeholders involved in the crisis.
His comments have since generated reactions within political circles, with many interpreting the disclosure as evidence of deep-rooted divisions within the Lagos APC structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The crisis surrounding Obasa’s impeachment had dominated political discussions in Lagos for months, with party leaders reportedly intervening at different stages to manage disagreements and prevent further escalation.
Analysts say Gbajabiamila’s revelation may reopen debate over the internal handling of the Assembly crisis and the role played by various political actors.
The statement also highlights the increasing political pressure facing senior government officials as political alignments and calculations ahead of the next election cycle continue to intensify.
Neither Desmond Elliot nor representatives of the Lagos State House of Assembly had reacted to Gbajabiamila’s comments as of the time of filing this report.
The Presidency also did not issue any official statement regarding the disclosure.
Gbajabiamila, a longtime ally of President Tinubu, was appointed Chief of Staff shortly after Tinubu assumed office in 2023 after serving for years in the National Assembly, including two terms as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Desmond Elliot, on the other hand, transitioned from Nollywood into politics under the platform of the APC and has represented Surulere Constituency in the Lagos Assembly since 2015.
The latest development is expected to fuel further political discussions within Lagos and across the country as preparations gradually begin for the 2027 elections.
