By Adesakin Adefemi
Lagos State House of Assembly member Desmond Elliot has explained why he signed the notice to impeach former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa in January 2025, saying he believed the move had approval from the presidency.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, the Surulere Constituency I lawmaker said he was out of the country when the impeachment took place and only learned about it days later. Elliot stated he was in South Africa attending his sister-in-law’s wedding during the January 13 recess period.
The actor-turned-politician said the development came as a shock and left him confused like many other lawmakers. “It took me about two days to come back. I was also as confused as everybody was,” he said.
Elliot explained that by the time he returned, nearly all members had already signed the impeachment document. He said the prevailing impression among lawmakers was that the action had the backing of the presidency.
“In all fairness, we thought it was from the presidency. And, of course, I appended my own signature. I believe I was maybe the 30-something person at that point in time,” Elliot stated.
He added that the situation changed after President Bola Tinubu intervened and clarified that the impeachment was not authorized. According to Elliot, the president directed the lawmakers to reinstate Obasa.
“But eventually, Mr President called us and made us understand that it was not from him and asked us to return the speaker. And we did,” he said.
The lawmaker also reacted to recent comments by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who claimed Elliot nearly cost him his job over intelligence linking him to the impeachment plot. Elliot said the statement surprised him given their longstanding relationship.
“So, my leader coming to say this, that I almost lost his job, one I have served and has also been there for me for this long, to have said that came to me as a shock,” Elliot said.
The Obasa impeachment crisis unfolded on January 13, 2025, while the Speaker was in the U.S. Lawmakers accused him of misconduct, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement. Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda was elected as the first female Speaker but later resigned, paving the way for Obasa’s reinstatement after presidential intervention.
