Obasa Impeachment: I Almost Lost My Job Over Desmond Elliot, Says Gbajabiamila

By Seyifunmi Odunuga 

ABUJA — The Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has made a startling revelation regarding the high-stakes political intrigues that nearly cost him his position last year.

Speaking on the backdrop of the leadership crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly, Gbajabiamila recounted a tense encounter with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Abuja residence. The President had reportedly confronted his Chief of Staff with intelligence reports linking actor-turned-politician, Desmond Elliot, to the group of lawmakers plotting the removal of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

“President Tinubu called me to his study and asked if Desmond Elliot was my boy. I confirmed he was,” Gbajabiamila shared. “The President then revealed that intelligence pointed to Desmond being part of those causing problems in the Lagos Assembly. I defended him immediately, insisting he wasn’t involved, but the President was firm about the intelligence he had received.”

The situation took a more dangerous turn three days later when the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly contacted Gbajabiamila. The intelligence chief warned that Gbajabiamila’s name was being cited as the mastermind behind the impeachment saga, allegedly using Elliot as his proxy to destabilize the state legislature.

The Chief of Staff disclosed that despite his personal intervention and a direct order for Elliot to issue a public statement distancing himself from the plot, the lawmaker has failed to do so till this day.

“I told Desmond what the President said and asked him to leave the group if he was involved. I even asked him to make a public denial to clear the air, but he hasn't done it,” Gbajabiamila added, effectively washing his hands of the controversy and the political actions of his erstwhile protégé.

The revelation has sent shockwaves through the Lagos political circle, shedding light on the narrow escape of one of the nation's most powerful officials from a political storm that threatened his career at the heart of the Presidency.