Lagos State House of Assembly lawmaker, Desmond Elliot, has clarified his role in the controversial impeachment attempt against former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa in January 2025, saying he signed the document based on the belief that it had the backing of the presidency.
Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency I, clarified during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, where he responded to comments by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, suggesting that he almost lost his position due to alleged involvement in the impeachment plot.
The former Nollywood actor turned politician explained that he was outside the country when the impeachment unfolded and only became aware of the development after it had already been carried out.
“I would like to state categorically that I wasn’t in the country. My wife and I travelled during the period of January 13th of 2025,” Elliot said.
He added that the Assembly was on recess at the time, and he had travelled with his wife for a family event abroad. According to him, he was in South Africa when he learned of the impeachment.
“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. I was also as confused as everybody was,” he said.
Elliot further explained that upon his return, he discovered that several lawmakers had already signed the impeachment notice, creating the impression that it was a coordinated and authorised action.
“And then 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, of course, I appended my own signature,” he stated.
He noted that the situation later changed after President Bola Tinubu reportedly clarified that the impeachment was not sanctioned by him and directed that the decision be reversed.
“But 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,” Elliot said.
Reacting to Gbajabiamila’s remarks, Elliot expressed surprise, stressing the longstanding relationship between them.
“So, my leader coming to say this—that I almost lost his job—came to me as a shock, given the relationship we have shared over the years,” he added.
The impeachment crisis erupted on January 13, 2025, when a majority of lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly removed Obasa over allegations including misconduct, abuse of office, and financial impropriety.
Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda was subsequently elected as Speaker, making history as the first woman to hold the position in the state.
However, the political turmoil deepened after Obasa rejected his removal, describing it as unconstitutional. Weeks of political tension, legal battles, and internal party interventions followed before the crisis was eventually resolved with Obasa’s reinstatement after Meranda stepped down.
