Gbajabiamila Denies Role in Lagos Assembly Crisis, Distances Self from Desmond Elliott
Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed how he nearly lost his job during the Lagos State House of Assembly impeachment saga, while distancing himself from any involvement and from actor-turned-lawmaker Desmond Elliott.
Speaking on the issue, Gbajabiamila said President Tinubu summoned him to his study in Abuja at the height of the crisis and questioned his relationship with Desmond Elliott.
“I almost lost my job as Chief of Staff to President Tinubu last year. President Tinubu called me to his study in his Abuja house during the Obasa impeachment saga and asked me if Desmond Elliott was my boy. I replied to the president that he’s my boy,” he said.
According to him, the President expressed concerns based on intelligence reports linking Elliott to the lawmakers allegedly causing unrest in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“President Tinubu then told me that he heard that Desmond was part of the people causing problems in the Lagos State House of Assembly. Immediately, I told the President that Desmond wasn’t part of them, but the president replied to me and said that from the intelligence he got, Desmond was part of them,” he added.
Gbajabiamila said he immediately contacted Elliott after the meeting, urging him to withdraw from any such group if involved.
“After that meeting, I called Desmond and told him what the president said and asked him to leave the group if he was part of them,” he said.
He further disclosed that three days later, the Director-General of the DSS contacted him, raising fresh concerns.
“Three days later, the DSS DG called me and said there’s a problem. He said your name is being mentioned that you’re the one behind the impeachment saga and that you’re supporting Desmond,” Gbajabiamila stated.
Denying any involvement, he said he again reached out to Elliott and advised him to publicly clear the air.
“I told the DSS DG that I’ve spoken to Desmond and he denied being part of the group. I then called Desmond to make a public statement to deny his involvement in the impeachment saga, but till today, he hasn’t done it,” he said.
