By Wellington Jopelo
Lagos lawmaker and actor-turned-politician Desmond Elliot has finally explained why he signed the impeachment notice that removed Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, insisting he believed the move had the backing of the Presidency at the time.
Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency I, made the clarification during a television interview on Tuesday while reacting to recent comments by presidential Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, who claimed the lawmaker’s involvement in the impeachment saga nearly cost him his job in Aso Rock.
According to Elliot, he was outside Nigeria when the political crisis erupted in January 2025, explaining that he had travelled to South Africa with his wife for a family wedding during the Assembly recess and only returned after the impeachment had already taken place.
The Surulere legislator said he met a situation where many lawmakers had already signed the impeachment document and there was a widespread belief within political circles that the action had presidential approval, prompting him to also append his signature.
Elliot stated that lawmakers later discovered President Bola Tinubu did not authorise the removal of Obasa, after which they were instructed to restore the Speaker to office.
The lawmaker also expressed disappointment over Gbajabiamila’s remarks, describing the former Speaker of the House of Representatives as a political mentor he has worked with for years. He said hearing claims that he almost caused Gbajabiamila to lose his position came as a major shock.
The controversy traces back to January 13, 2025, when members of the Lagos State House of Assembly impeached Obasa over allegations including abuse of office, financial mismanagement and high-handed leadership style while he was reportedly outside the country.
Following the impeachment, then-Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda emerged as Speaker, becoming the first woman to hold the position in Lagos Assembly history. However, the crisis later escalated into legal and political battles before Obasa eventually returned to office after interventions from APC leaders and President Tinubu.