How I nearly lost my job over Desmond Elliott’s involvement in Obasa impeachment — Gbajabiamila

The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, says he almost lost his job following allegations tied to the impeachment crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly involving Speaker Mudashiru Obasa last year.

Gbajabiamila said the situation escalated during the internal political tensions in Lagos, after he was questioned by President Bola Tinubu over reports linking Lagos lawmaker Desmond Elliott to the crisis.

Obasa was impeached on January 2025 by a faction of lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly over allegations of misconduct and financial irregularities, triggering a leadership crisis and political tension within the chamber. Following his removal, Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda stepped in as acting Speaker to stabilise proceedings while party leaders moved to manage the fallout and resolve disputes over the legitimacy of the impeachment process.

Recounting the incident in a viral clip on Thursday, he said, “President Tinubu called me to his study in his Abuja house during the Obasa impeachment saga and asked me if Desmond Elliott was my boy. I replied to the president that he’s my boy.”

Gbajabiamila said the President later expressed concerns based on intelligence reports suggesting Elliott’s alleged involvement in activities within the Lagos Assembly.

He said, “The president then told me that he heard that Desmond was part of the people causing problems in the Lagos State House of Assembly.”

According to him, he initially defended the lawmaker but was told the intelligence contradicted his position. “Immediately, I told the President that Desmond wasn’t part of them, but the president replied… from the intelligence he got, Desmond was part of them,” he said.

Following the meeting, Gbajabiamila said he contacted Elliott and advised him to distance himself from any group linked to the controversy. “I called Desmond and told him what the president said and asked him to leave the group if he was part of them,” he added.

He said the matter later drew the attention of the Department of State Services (DSS). “Three days later, the DSS DG called me and said there’s a problem… your name is being mentioned that you’re the one behind the impeachment saga and that you’re supporting Desmond,” he recounted.