Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed how the political crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly nearly cost him his position, citing the role of lawmaker Desmond Elliot in the controversy.
Gbajabiamila made the disclosure on Thursday at an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, offering fresh insight into the behind-the-scenes tensions that followed the impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa in January 2025.
“I almost lost my job as Chief of Staff last year because of Desmond Elliot,” he said.
Recounting the events, Gbajabiamila said President Bola Tinubu had summoned him to his residence in Abuja at the height of the crisis.
“During the Obasa saga, Mr. President called me to his house in Abuja. He said, ‘I heard this Desmond guy is your boy.’ I replied, ‘Yes, sir,’” he stated.
According to him, the President expressed concern over Elliot’s alleged involvement in the unfolding political turmoil in Lagos.
“Mr. President then said Desmond was one of the people causing problems in Lagos State. I immediately told him, ‘No, Desmond was not among them.’ Mr. President replied, ‘I’m telling you based on intelligence that he is part of them. Go and tell him to retrace his steps,’” Gbajabiamila added.
He said he promptly reached out to the Surulere Constituency I lawmaker to relay the President’s directive.
“I called Desmond and told him, ‘Mr. President said if you’re one of these people, get out of there,’” he said.
Gbajabiamila further disclosed that the situation escalated days later when security reports began linking him to the crisis.
“Three days later, the DGSS called me and said there was a problem; my name was being mentioned everywhere as the one supporting Desmond,” he revealed.
Despite his efforts to manage the fallout, he said the controversy lingered.
“I told him again to make a public statement, but till tomorrow, he hasn’t,” he added.
The Chief of Staff’s remarks highlight the depth of political tensions that accompanied the removal of Obasa, who was impeached by a majority of lawmakers over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The crisis had sparked significant divisions within the ruling APC in Lagos, with ripple effects extending to the federal level.
Gbajabiamila’s account provides new details on how internal party conflicts at the state level nearly impacted top officials within the Presidency.
