The Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed how he nearly lost his position last year during the political turmoil that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Gbajabiamila made the disclosure in a video currently circulating online, where he recounted events surrounding the leadership crisis in the Assembly and his alleged connection to Lagos lawmaker Desmond Elliot.
According to him, President Tinubu personally summoned him to his residence in Abuja at the peak of the crisis to address concerns over his relationship with Elliot.
He said the President directly questioned him over reports suggesting that Desmond Elliot was closely linked to him politically.
Gbajabiamila acknowledged that Elliot was indeed one of the politicians he had supported in the past.
He explained that the President told him he had been informed that Elliot was “his boy,” a remark he did not deny.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives further alleged that Elliot was among those accused of fueling instability during the Lagos Assembly leadership tussle.
According to Gbajabiamila, after his meeting with Tinubu, he immediately reached out to Elliot to convey the concerns raised by the President.
However, he said the lawmaker failed to act on the warning.
“Three days later, the Director-General called me and said there was a serious issue, that my name was everywhere as the person supporting Desmond to push for impeachment,” he said.
Gbajabiamila disclosed that he advised Elliot to publicly distance himself from the unfolding crisis by issuing a statement to clarify his position.
He said no such statement was released.
The Chief of Staff noted that the tension became so serious that his future in the presidency appeared uncertain.
According to him, only his long-standing political relationship and personal trust with President Tinubu eventually helped calm the situation.
The revelation has reignited interest in the political tensions that surrounded the Lagos State House of Assembly leadership battle and has fueled fresh speculation over internal alignments within Lagos politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political observers believe the disclosure could also raise questions about the future political standing of Desmond Elliot within Lagos APC circles as succession calculations intensify.
What You Should Know
The Lagos State House of Assembly leadership crisis exposed deep political tensions within the Lagos APC power structure.
Gbajabiamila’s revelation suggests the dispute had implications far beyond the state legislature, reaching directly into the presidency. His account highlights how internal political rivalries can affect even top federal appointments.
With 2027 political calculations already taking shape, the disclosure may reopen debates about influence, loyalty and succession within Lagos, widely regarded as President Tinubu’s political base.
