Video: I almost lost my job because of Desmond Elliot — Gbajabiamila
Chief of Staff to Nigerian President Reveals Job Risk Linked to Political Crisis
By Efe Onodjae
LAGOS — Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, disclosed Thursday that he nearly lost his position due to a political crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly. This turmoil involved Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and emerged during a constituency meeting in Lagos.
While discussing the controversy around actor-turned-lawmaker Desmond Elliot, Gbajabiamila recounted how he was summoned by President Tinubu amid escalating tensions in the Assembly. The President expressed concern over allegations that Elliot was contributing to the instability.
“I almost lost my job because of Desmond Elliot last year. You can go and verify,” Gbajabiamila said. He detailed a meeting in which Tinubu confronted him about Elliot’s purported involvement in the crisis, stating, “Mr. President called me to his study in Abuja and said, ‘I hear this Desmond is your boy.’”
In response, Gbajabiamila defended Elliot, assuring the President that the lawmaker was not among those allegedly undermining the Assembly’s leadership. However, the President insisted he take action, prompting Gbajabiamila to advise Elliot to avoid any association with the escalating situation.
Three days following the meeting, Gbajabiamila said he received a call from the Director-General, expressing concern that he was being linked to support for Elliot’s role in an impeachment effort. In light of this, he urged Elliot to publicly clarify his position regarding the crisis, but claimed that Elliot did not comply.
“I told Desmond to go and make a public statement that he was not part of them, but till today he has not done that,” Gbajabiamila noted.
He emphasized that his longstanding relationship with President Tinubu was a crucial factor in retaining his position. “If not for the kind of relationship I have with the President today, I probably would not still be here as Chief of Staff,” he said.
The issues surrounding the Assembly and the involvement of Elliot continue to resonate within political circles as the situation develops.
