I Thought Tinubu Approved Obasa’s Removal — Desmond Elliot

Lagos State lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I, Desmond Elliot, has explained his role in the controversial impeachment of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa during the January 2025 leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, the actor-turned-politician said he was not in Nigeria when the impeachment took place and only supported the move because he believed it had approval from the Presidency.

Elliot said he and his wife were abroad at the time, noting that he travelled on January 13, 2025, during the Assembly’s recess period.

“We were in recess and it was an opportunity for us to travel to attend my wife’s younger sister’s wedding,” he said.

He explained that while in South Africa, he received news that Obasa had been impeached, adding that the development initially came as a shock.

“That was the time Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa was impeached. It came to me as a shock because I was in South Africa then,” Elliot said.

According to him, the impeachment had already gained widespread support among lawmakers before he signed the notice upon his return.

“I saw that almost everybody had signed. And pretty much we thought it was from the Presidency. In all fairness, we thought it was from the Presidency, and I appended my own signature,” he added.

Elliot said the situation later changed after President Bola Tinubu reportedly clarified that he did not authorise the removal of the Speaker.

“Eventually, Mr President called us and made us understand that it was not from him and asked us to return the Speaker. And we did,” he said.

He also reacted to comments by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who suggested that Elliot’s involvement in the impeachment nearly affected his political standing.

Expressing surprise, Elliot said the remarks were unexpected given their long-standing political relationship.

“So, my leader coming to say this… came to me as a shock,” he said.

The Lagos Assembly crisis erupted on January 13, 2025, when a majority of lawmakers voted to remove Obasa over allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement, claims he denied.

Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda was subsequently elected Speaker but later stepped down following interventions by APC leaders and President Tinubu, leading to Obasa’s reinstatement after weeks of political tension.