Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has revealed how he nearly lost his position during the political crisis involving the Lagos State House of Assembly and Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
Speaking during a meeting with members of the All Progressives Congress on Thursday, Gbajabiamila explained that the issue almost affected his relationship with President Tinubu because of allegations connected to Lagos lawmaker Desmond Elliott.
The political drama started when lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly removed Obasa as Speaker. At the time, members of the Assembly defended their action, saying the impeachment was necessary to protect the image, dignity, and stability of both the Assembly and Lagos State.
According to the lawmakers, leadership change is normal in politics and should not be treated as something unusual. However, reports later showed that President Tinubu was not happy with the impeachment process. Following several meetings and political discussions, Obasa eventually returned as Speaker, bringing an end to the crisis.
Gbajabiamila, while sharing his side of the story, said President Tinubu invited him to Abuja during the heated political tension surrounding the Assembly crisis.
He explained that the President questioned him about Desmond Elliott, who was believed to be connected to lawmakers involved in the move against Obasa.
Gbajabiamila said he immediately defended himself and told the President that Elliott was not among those allegedly pushing the impeachment plans. However, Tinubu reportedly insisted that intelligence reports he received linked Elliott to the crisis.
The Chief of Staff added that after the meeting, he contacted Desmond Elliott directly and advised him to stay away from the group if he was truly involved.
A few days later, Gbajabiamila said he received another phone call from the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, who informed him that his own name was now being mentioned in connection with the impeachment saga.
According to him, the security chief claimed some people believed he was secretly supporting the lawmakers through Desmond Elliott.
Gbajabiamila said he once again defended himself and explained that he had already spoken with Elliott, who denied being part of the group behind the impeachment move.
He also claimed that he asked the Lagos lawmaker to publicly deny any involvement in the political crisis, but said such a statement has not been made till now.
The revelation has continued to spark reactions among political observers, especially as details emerge about the behind-the-scenes events that happened during the Lagos Assembly leadership crisis.
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