Lagos State House of Assembly member, Desmond Elliot, has detailed his involvement in the controversial impeachment of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa in January 2025, explaining why he signed the impeachment document.
Elliot, representing Surulere Constituency I, made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday.
The actor-turned-politician responded to remarks by President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who claimed Elliot nearly lost his job due to intelligence linking him to the impeachment attempt.
Elliot said he was out of the country at the time and believed the impeachment move had presidential approval.
“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 to attend my wife’s younger sister’s wedding,” Elliot said.
He added that the impeachment, which took place while he was in South Africa, was a shock.
“It took me about two days to come back. I was as confused as everybody. Almost everyone had signed, and we thought it was from the presidency. In all fairness, we thought it was from the presidency, so I appended my own signature,” he said.
Later, lawmakers were clarified by President Tinubu that the impeachment had not been authorised.
“Mr President called us, explained it was not from him, and asked us to reinstate the Speaker. And we did,” Elliot added.
Reacting to Gbajabiamila’s statement, Elliot said he was surprised given their long-standing relationship.
The impeachment of Obasa occurred on January 13, 2025, while he was vacationing in the United States. Lawmakers cited gross misconduct, abuse of office, high-handedness, persistent lateness, and alleged financial mismanagement as reasons.
Obasa rejected the impeachment, calling it illegal and unconstitutional. The episode triggered weeks of tension, court cases, and political intervention from APC leaders and President Tinubu. Eventually, Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda resigned, paving the way for Obasa’s reinstatement.
