Desmond Elliot, lawmaker representing Surulere 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has said he believed the 2025 impeachment attempt against former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa had the backing of President Bola Tinubu, a claim he says contributed to confusion within the assembly.
The impeachment, carried out in January 2025, saw Obasa removed by a majority of lawmakers over allegations of misconduct and abuse of office while he was abroad. He was briefly replaced by then Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, who became the first female speaker of the house before stepping down 49 days later following Tinubu’s intervention, leading to Obasa’s reinstatement.
Speaking during a television interview, Elliot said he was surprised by recent comments from the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, regarding the matter. Gbajabiamila had previously suggested Elliot played a role in the impeachment and claimed he had warned him to publicly distance himself from the move.
Elliot, however, insisted he received no such instruction and maintained that he was out of the country at the time on a trip to South Africa during legislative recess. He added that upon his return, most lawmakers had already signed the impeachment notice, which he also endorsed under the impression that it had presidential approval.
He further stated that President Tinubu later clarified he was not behind the impeachment and directed lawmakers to reinstate Obasa, which was eventually done.
The lawmaker also described renewed discussions around the incident as unexpected, insisting the issue had already been resolved at the time. He is currently seeking re-election for a fourth term in the Lagos Assembly.
