Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed that he nearly lost his position during the Lagos State House of Assembly leadership crisis over alleged links between actor-turned-politician Desmond Elliot and the impeachment saga involving Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
Gbajabiamila made the disclosure in a viral video circulating on social media, where he recounted how President Tinubu summoned him to his Abuja residence at the peak of the political tension in the Lagos Assembly.
According to him, the President confronted him over intelligence reports allegedly linking Desmond Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, to moves aimed at destabilising the Assembly during the crisis.
“I almost lost my job as Chief of Staff because of Desmond Elliot,” Gbajabiamila said.
He explained that Tinubu allegedly told him security reports identified Elliot as one of those involved in the crisis surrounding the removal of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
Gbajabiamila, however, said he defended the lawmaker and denied knowledge of any involvement.
“I told Mr President that Desmond was not part of them and that I had not even spoken with him,” he said.
According to the Chief of Staff, the President insisted that intelligence reports pointed in a different direction and instructed him to warn Elliot to “retrace his steps” if he was involved.
Gbajabiamila further disclosed that the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) later contacted him, claiming his name was also being mentioned in connection with the Assembly crisis because of his relationship with Elliot.
He said he subsequently contacted the lawmaker and advised him to publicly clear his name, though he claimed the actor-politician had yet to issue any statement on the matter.
The Lagos Assembly crisis erupted in January 2025 after lawmakers impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa over allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.
His deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was briefly elected as Speaker before eventually stepping down, paving the way for Obasa’s reinstatement following interventions by leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
