Uche Amunike
Lifeandtimes News Writer
Lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, has explained why he signed the impeachment notice against Speaker Mudashiru Obasa during the political crisis that rocked the Assembly in January 2025.
Elliot made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, where he responded to comments made by Femi Gbajabiamila.
Gbajabiamila had alleged that intelligence reports linked Elliot to the impeachment move and suggested that the actor-turned-politician almost made him lose his political position because of the development.
Reacting to the accusation, Elliot insisted that he was not among those who initiated the plot against Obasa and explained that he was outside Nigeria when the impeachment took place. According to him, he and his wife travelled abroad on January 13, 2025, during the Assembly recess to attend the wedding ceremony of his wife’s younger sister.
The lawmaker said he was in South Africa when news broke that Obasa had been removed as Speaker by members of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Elliot described the development as shocking and confusing, adding that he only returned to Nigeria about two days later after learning about the political crisis.
He explained that by the time he arrived, many lawmakers had already signed the impeachment document. Elliot said there was a widespread belief among members of the Assembly that the action had the support and approval of the presidency.
According to him, that assumption influenced his decision to append his signature to the impeachment notice. Elliot disclosed that he was not among the first lawmakers to sign the document, noting that he signed after several others had already done so.
The politician stated that lawmakers later discovered that President Bola Tinubu was not behind the impeachment move. According to him,Tinubu personally intervened and clarified the situation to members of the Assembly.
Elliot explained that after meeting with the President, lawmakers were instructed to reverse the decision and restore Obasa as Speaker of the House. He added that the Assembly complied with the directive, leading to the eventual return of Obasa to office.
Speaking further, Elliot expressed disappointment over the remarks made by Femi Gbajabiamila, especially considering their longstanding political relationship. He said he regarded Gbajabiamila as a mentor and leader who had supported him politically over the years.
According to Elliot, hearing such comments from Gbajabiamila came as a surprise because of the loyalty and respect he had always shown him.
The impeachment crisis began on January 13, 2025, when a majority of lawmakers voted to remove Obasa while he was reportedly on vacation in the United States. Members of the Assembly accused him of gross misconduct, abuse of office, poor leadership style, financial mismanagement, and persistent lateness to legislative sessions.
Following the impeachment, Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda was elected Speaker, becoming the first woman to lead the Lagos Assembly.
However, Obasa rejected his removal, insisting that the process violated constitutional procedures. The dispute later escalated into a prolonged political battle involving court cases, leadership tussles, and interventions from top figures within the ruling APC.
The crisis was eventually resolved after Meranda stepped down, paving the way for Obasa’s reinstatement as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
