Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has finally broken his silence on the rift between himself and Desmond Elliot, the actor-turned-politician representing Surulere Constituency 1.
While rumors of their fallout had circulated for months, the issue became public after Elliot—seeking a fourth term in the Lagos State House of Assembly—pleaded for forgiveness from his longtime mentor.
“Our leader is a compassionate leader… Children sometimes err. If I have erred in any way, my leader, I am sorry,” Elliot had stated.
However, speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos on Thursday, Gbajabiamila traced the conflict back to a plot to impeach Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly.
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He revealed that the crisis almost cost him his position in the Presidency.
“I almost lost my job because of Desmond Elliot last year. You can go and verify,” Gbajabiamila declared.
He narrated how President Tinubu summoned him to his study in Abuja to confront him over reports that Elliot was a key figure in the House crisis.
“Mr President called me to his study in Abuja and said, ‘I hear this Desmond is your boy.’ I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ He then said Desmond was among those causing problems in the Lagos State House of Assembly,” he stated.
Gbajabiamila admitted that he initially defended Elliot, unaware of his involvement in the plot.
“I told the President that Desmond was not part of them, but the President insisted and told me to call him to order,” he added.
Despite being warned by Gbajabiamila to steer clear of the crisis, Elliot reportedly continued his involvement.
Matters worsened three days later when reports began circulating that Gbajabiamila himself was the one sponsoring Elliot to push for the Speaker’s impeachment.
The Chief of Staff further revealed that he asked Elliot to issue a public statement distancing himself from the plot to clear both their names, but the lawmaker failed to do so.
“If not for the kind of relationship I have with the President today, I probably would not still be here as Chief of Staff,” Gbajabiamila said.
Gbajabiamila also accused Elliot of trying to use religious sentiments to gain political sympathy, noting that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had even written to him on the lawmaker’s behalf.
He dismissed these tactics, insisting that the constituency has always worked harmoniously regardless of religious backgrounds.
