Why I Signed Obasa’s Impeachment Notice — Desmond Elliot…

The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I, Desmond Elliot, has explained why he signed the impeachment notice that removed the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, in January 2025, saying lawmakers believed the move had the support of the presidency.

Elliot made this known during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, where he addressed comments from the chief of staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, that he almost lost his political standing due to reports linking him to the impeachment plot.

Elliot said he was outside Nigeria when the impeachment took place and only learned of the development while he was in South Africa.

“I would like to categorically state that I was not in the country. My wife and I traveled during the period of January 13, 2025.

“We were on a break and then it was an opportunity for us to travel to attend my wife’s younger sister’s wedding,” he said.

The lawmaker said Obasa’s impeachment took him by surprise and left him confused like many others.

“That was the moment the Honorable Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa was impeached.

“It came as a shock to me because I was in South Africa at the time. So, of course, it took me about two days to get back. I was also confused as everyone was.

“And then I saw that almost everyone had signed. And we basically thought it was from the presidency. In all honesty, we thought it was from the presidency.

“And, of course, I signed it. I think I was in my 30s at the time because others who had traveled had returned and others had signed.”

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According to Elliot, the lawmakers later received clarification from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the impeachment did not have his approval.

“But in the end, Mr. President called us and made us understand that this was not like him and asked us to return the speaker. And we did,” he added.

Reacting to Gbajabiamila’s remarks, Elliot described the statement as surprising, considering their political relationship over the years.

“So, my leader (Gbajabiamila) came to say this, that I almost lost his job, one who I served and has been there for me for so long, for him to say that was a shock.” (Tribune)

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