LAGOS: Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed that he almost lost his position in the Presidency over the alleged involvement of Lagos lawmaker Desmond Elliot in the political crisis that engulfed the Lagos State House of Assembly during the speakership dispute involving Mudashiru Obasa.
Gbajabiamila made the disclosure in a video circulating on social media, recounting how President Tinubu summoned him to his Abuja residence at the peak of the Assembly crisis and questioned him over intelligence reports linking Elliot to the plot to destabilise the legislature.
According to him, Tinubu told him that Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos Assembly, was allegedly among those behind the moves against Obasa during the controversial leadership battle.
Gbajabiamila said the President reminded him that Elliot was politically close to him and warned that the actor-turned-lawmaker should immediately distance himself from the crisis.
The Chief of Staff said he denied knowledge of Elliot’s alleged involvement and insisted that he had not spoken with the lawmaker on the matter.
He added that he immediately contacted Elliot and relayed the President’s warning, asking him to stay away from the dispute if he was connected to those involved.
Gbajabiamila further disclosed that the Director-General of the Department of State Services later called him, claiming his own name was also being mentioned in connection with the crisis and alleged support for Elliot.
The political crisis began on January 13, 2025, when lawmakers impeached Obasa while he was in the United States, accusing him of misconduct, abuse of office and financial impropriety. His deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was elected as Speaker, becoming the first woman to hold the position.
However, Obasa rejected the impeachment, leading to weeks of political tension, court cases and interventions by leaders of the All-Progressives Congress before Meranda eventually stepped down, paving the way for Obasa’s return as Speaker.
