I Nearly Lost My Job Because of Desmond Elliot During Obasa Impeachment Crisis – Gbajabiamila

By Paul Joseph

Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed that he almost lost his position during the political crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly over the controversial speakership tussle involving Mudashiru Obasa.

Gbajabiamila made the disclosure on Thursday during a constituency stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos while addressing allegations surrounding actor-turned-lawmaker Desmond Elliot.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu personally summoned him to Abuja at the peak of the crisis and questioned him over reports linking Elliot to moves aimed at destabilising the Assembly leadership.

“I almost lost my job because of Desmond Elliot last year. The President invited me to his residence in Abuja during the Obasa saga and confronted me over reports that Desmond was among those causing problems in the Lagos Assembly,” Gbajabiamila said.

He explained that Tinubu reminded him of his close relationship with Elliot and demanded answers over the allegations.

“Mr President called me into his study and said, ‘I hear this Desmond is your boy.’ I replied, ‘Yes sir.’ He then said Desmond was among those involved in the crisis,” he recounted.

Gbajabiamila said he immediately defended the Surulere lawmaker, insisting that Elliot was not part of any plot against the Assembly leadership.

“I told the President that Desmond was not part of them, but he insisted and instructed me to call him to order,” he added.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives further disclosed that he later contacted Elliot directly and warned him to stay away from the crisis if he had any involvement.

“Three days later, the Director-General called me and said there was serious tension and that my name was everywhere as the person backing Desmond for impeachment moves,” he stated.

Gbajabiamila said he advised Elliot to publicly distance himself from the controversy, but claimed the lawmaker never issued any statement.

“I told Desmond to publicly declare that he was not part of them, but till today he has not done that,” he said.

He added that his long-standing relationship with President Tinubu ultimately saved him from losing his role as Chief of Staff.

“If not for the relationship I have with the President today, I probably would not still be here as Chief of Staff,” Gbajabiamila stated.