Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to Bola Tinubu, has revealed how he nearly lost his position over the alleged involvement of Desmond Elliot in the Lagos State House of Assembly leadership crisis.
Speaking in a viral video during a meeting with members of the All-Progressives Congress (APC), Gbajabiamila recounted how President Tinubu called him during the impeachment controversy involving former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, alleging that intelligence reports linked Desmond Elliot to the crisis.
According to Gbajabiamila, President Tinubu told him: “He is part of the people causing problems in the Lagos Assembly. Intelligence reports indicate he is involved. Go and tell him to retrace his steps.”
Despite not confirming the allegation with Elliot, Gbajabiamila said he defended the lawmaker before the President, insisting he was not involved.
He later contacted Desmond Elliot, warning him to distance himself from the situation if he had any connection to it. However, Gbajabiamila said the actor-turned-lawmaker “started cutting corners,” which further escalated concerns.
The Chief of Staff added that days later, reports emerged suggesting his own name was being dragged into the controversy, with claims that he was backing Elliot.
“Of course, the President would not believe Desmond could do such a thing without my knowledge,” Gbajabiamila said, noting that he again urged Elliot to publicly deny involvement, but nothing substantial came from it.
He concluded by saying his long-standing relationship with President Tinubu may have saved his position, adding: “If not for the kind of relationship I had with the President, I wouldn’t be here today.”
