How I almost lost my job because of Desmond Elliot — Gbajabiamila
Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed that he almost lost his position over the political controversy involving Lagos lawmaker, Desmond Elliot.
Gbajabiamila made the disclosure during a constituency stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos while addressing issues surrounding Elliot’s alleged involvement in the leadership crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly.
According to him, the matter became serious after President Bola Tinubu summoned him to discuss intelligence reports linking Elliot to the impeachment crisis involving Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.
“I almost lost my job as the Chief of Staff last year because of Desmond Elliot,” Gbajabiamila said.
He explained that during the meeting, the President informed him that Elliot had been named among those allegedly fuelling the crisis in the Assembly.
Gbajabiamila said he immediately defended the lawmaker and insisted he could not be part of the group accused of causing unrest.
However, he said he later contacted Elliot to clarify the allegations after the President insisted intelligence reports suggested otherwise.
Gbajabiamila disclosed that he warned Elliot to distance himself from the crisis and publicly deny any involvement.
He added that the situation escalated days later when he was informed that his own name was being linked to the crisis.
Three days later, the Director General called me. ‘Chief, there’s a problem. Your name is being mentioned all over the place. That you are the one behind it, you are supporting Desmond in this.’”
He said he again reached out to Elliot and urged him to make a public statement to clear the air.
According to him, his longstanding relationship with President Tinubu was what ultimately saved his job.
“Till tomorrow, if it was not that I have the kind of relationship I have with Mr. President, I would not be here today.”
Gbajabiamila further accused Elliot of introducing religious sentiments into constituency politics, describing it as unprecedented in his political experience.
“For Desmond to be getting CAN, Christian Association of Nigeria to be writing an official letter to me and to the party, and causing division between the Muslims and the Christians.”
