Tinubu’s Chief of Staff Discusses Controversial Allegations Involving Desmond Elliott
Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, disclosed that his position was nearly jeopardized due to actor-turned-politician Desmond Elliott’s alleged ties to the political turmoil that engulfed the Lagos State House of Assembly during the speaker contest surrounding Mudasir Obasa last year.
In a video that gained significant traction on social media, Gbajabiamila recounted a pivotal moment when President Tinubu summoned him to his Abuja residence amid the escalating impeachment dispute involving Obasa.
According to Gbajabiamila, the President expressed concern over intelligence reports suggesting Elliott—who represents the Surulere 1st Constituency—was involved in efforts to undermine the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“I almost lost my job as Chief of Staff last year because of Desmond Elliott,” Gbajabiamila stated. “During the Obasa controversy over the Lagos Speakership, the President called me to his home in Abuja. He inquired, ‘I hear that this Desmond is your son, the one we gave you,’ to which I responded affirmatively. The President indicated that Elliott was among those causing instability in the House,” he explained.
Gbajabiamila emphasized his responsibility to defend Elliott against these claims. “I immediately reassured the President that Desmond was not involved in any wrongdoing, despite not having personally spoken to him regarding the allegations.” He noted that Tinubu urged him to intervene, citing that the intelligence community had implicated Elliott in the unrest.
“The President instructed me to tell Elliott to remain focused. I conveyed his message to the lawmakers, clarifying that the President was concerned about the allegations,” Gbajabiamila said. “If he’s involved in any instability, he should step back.”
Moreover, Gbajabiamila revealed he had been approached by the Secretary of State regarding both his and Elliott’s alleged roles in the unfolding situation. “Three days later, I received a call from the DSS chief alerting me that my name was being mentioned frequently in connection with this matter,” he stated.
Gbajabiamila mentioned his determination to clarify Elliott’s position, asserting that the President would likely not believe Elliott would engage in such activities. “I felt it was necessary to speak with Desmond directly about these allegations,” he said.
Despite urging Elliott to issue a formal statement to address the accusations, Gbajabiamila noted that no such statement had been released as of yet. The matter reflects ongoing tensions within the Lagos State House of Assembly amidst increasing resistance to Elliott’s candidacy for a fourth term.
The Obasa impeachment scandal initially erupted on January 13, 2025, when a majority of the House impeached the speaker while he was on vacation in the United States. Lawmakers cited serious charges, including misconduct and financial mismanagement.
The fallout from this crisis led to weeks of tension, multiple court cases, and intervention from national leaders within the APC and President Tinubu. The situation was finally resolved when Mojisola Meranda, who had been elected as the new chair and became the first woman in that role, resigned, allowing Obasa to reclaim his position.
As it stands, PUNCH Online has not been able to independently verify Elliott’s alleged involvement in these events.
