Fresh political controversy has erupted within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), after actor-turned-lawmaker, Desmond Elliot, admitted that he signed the impeachment notice against the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa without fully understanding the circumstances surrounding the move.
The revelation has revived public attention on the January 2025 leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, which briefly saw Obasa removed from office over allegations of misconduct and abuse of power before he was later reinstated following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
Key Highlights:
- Desmond Elliot said he signed an impeachment notice against Mudashiru Obasa without fully understanding it.
- He claimed he believed the action had support from the presidency.
- Femi Gbajabiamila said the incident almost affected his position.
- Many Nigerians criticised Elliot online for signing such an important document without proper checks.
- The issue has revived discussions about divisions within the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Elliot explained that he had been out of the country attending a wedding in South Africa when tensions escalated within the assembly.
According to the Surulere lawmaker, he returned to Nigeria confused about the unfolding political developments and was subsequently presented with documents connected to the impeachment process.
Elliot reportedly stated that he assumed the move had the backing of the Presidency and signed the notice without thoroughly verifying the details behind it.
His comments surfaced only days after the Chief of Staff to Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila publicly disclosed that Elliot’s alleged role in the anti-Obasa plot nearly cost him his position.
Speaking at an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, Gbajabiamila said Tinubu personally summoned him during the height of the crisis and questioned him over reports linking Elliot to the impeachment move.
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“I almost lost my job because of Desmond Elliot,” Gbajabiamila said in a viral video, adding that he repeatedly advised the lawmaker to publicly distance himself from the controversy.
Reacting to the remarks, Elliot expressed surprise that Gbajabiamila openly narrated the incident but maintained that he still regarded him as his political leader.
The latest disclosures have once again exposed lingering divisions within Lagos APC power blocs ahead of expected political realignments toward the 2027 elections, with observers suggesting the Obasa impeachment saga involved deeper political interests than initially presented.
Elliot’s explanation quickly sparked criticism and mockery on X, formerly Twitter, with many Nigerians questioning how a lawmaker could sign an impeachment notice without carefully scrutinising the process.
Some reactions included: @DanielRegha said “Desmond Elliot saying he signed an impeachment notice without understanding it is alarming. These are serious legislative decisions, not movie scripts.” —
@General_Oluchi “So a whole lawmaker just signs documents because he thought ‘the presidency approved it’? Nigeria is really a cruise.”
@SavvyRinu said “This is exactly why many Nigerians don’t trust politicians. You cannot claim ignorance after participating in something so sensitive.” —
@PidomNigeria commented “Desmond Elliot basically admitted he acted without verification. That should worry every Lagos voter.”
@Mr_JAGs said “Imagine admitting publicly that you signed an impeachment notice by mistake. Politics in Nigeria remains unbelievable.”
Despite the backlash, some supporters defended Elliot, arguing that the Assembly crisis involved pressure from competing political camps and influential interests within the ruling party.
The January 2025 impeachment saga remains one of the most dramatic political episodes in recent Lagos political history, with lawmakers sharply divided before Obasa eventually reclaimed his position after weeks of tension and negotiations.
