Desmond Elliot, the lawmaker representing Surulere 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has revealed that he initially believed the plot to impeach former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa in 2025 had the support of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Elliot said the impeachment saga left members of the Lagos Assembly confused, adding that he only signed the removal document because he thought the move was endorsed by the president.
Obasa was removed as Speaker in January 2025 after lawmakers accused him of gross misconduct and abuse of office. The impeachment took place while he was out of the country, leading to the emergence of then-Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda as the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly.
However, after spending 49 days in office, Meranda stepped down following reported intervention by President Tinubu, paving the way for Obasa’s reinstatement.
Elliot said he was surprised by recent comments made by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, who claimed he nearly lost his position in the presidency because of Elliot’s alleged involvement in the impeachment plot.
Gbajabiamila had also stated that he advised Elliot to publicly distance himself from the impeachment move, but the actor-turned-politician allegedly failed to do so.
Responding, Elliot insisted that Gbajabiamila never instructed him to issue any public statement at the time.
“He is my leader and will always remain my leader. We spoke during that period, and whatever he told me, I relayed to the House,” Elliot said.
The lawmaker explained that he was outside Nigeria when the impeachment process gathered momentum. According to him, he and his wife travelled to South Africa during the Assembly’s recess for his in-law’s wedding.
He said that upon his return, he discovered that most lawmakers had already signed the impeachment document.
“I was also as confused as everyone else. I saw that almost everybody had signed, and I honestly thought it was coming from the president, so I appended my signature,” he said.
Elliot added that President Tinubu later met with lawmakers and clarified that he neither authorised nor supported the impeachment. Following the meeting, lawmakers reversed the decision and reinstated Obasa as Speaker.
The Surulere lawmaker further described the matter as one that had long been resolved, expressing surprise that Gbajabiamila chose to revisit the issue now.
“Mr President said the matter was over, so for my leader to bring it up again at this political time is quite surprising to me,” he stated.
Elliot, who is seeking a fourth term in the Lagos State House of Assembly, is reportedly facing political opposition from Gbajabiamila, who has endorsed Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, a former aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the seat.
The actor-politician had publicly apologised to Gbajabiamila on May 15 amid the growing political tension.