In the hallowed halls of the Aso Rock Villa, trust is the only currency that matters. On Thursday, Femi Gbajabiamila, arguably the most powerful Chief of Staff in Nigeria’s democratic history, reminded us just how easily that currency can be devalued. His revelation that Desmond Elliot’s “disloyalty” almost cost him his job is a masterclass in the perils of political mentorship.
The Intelligence Trap
The core of the “Gbajabiamila Near-Miss” is a fascinating look at how the Nigerian Presidency utilizes intelligence to manage its domestic political base. When the DSS flagged Desmond Elliot for his role in the Lagos Assembly speakership tussle, it wasn’t just a local matter; it was viewed as a proxy war.
For President Tinubu, a man who built his empire on the bedrock of Lagosian stability, any crack in the House of Assembly is a personal affront. By association, Gbajabiamila—the man who “brought” Elliot into politics—was held responsible for his ward’s perceived “waywardness.”
The Nollywood Politician’s Dilemma
Desmond Elliot, the Nollywood star who successfully transitioned to a third-term lawmaker, has often been seen as the “Golden Boy” of Surulere politics. However, the CoS’s latest comments paint a picture of a politician who grew too ambitious for his own good.
Gbajabiamila’s account of Elliot “dilly-dallying” and “cutting corners” suggests a protégé trying to play both sides of a power struggle. In the high-stakes world of the Tinubu administration, such nuance is often interpreted as treachery. The CoS’s frustration was palpable when he noted that if not for his personal relationship with the President, the “Desmond baggage” would have been enough to sink his career.
A Public Divorce
Why tell this story now? The “Renewed Hope” administration is currently tightening its internal ranks. Across Lagos, and specifically in Surulere, there is a palpable shift. Recent reports of a “Surulere Accountability Front” protesting Elliot’s fourth-term bid suggest that the grassroots are being prepared for a new face.
By revealing that he nearly lost his job because of Elliot, Gbajabiamila has achieved three things:
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Exoneration: He has publicly cleared himself of any involvement in the Obasa impeachment saga.
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Warning: He has sent a message to other protégés that the “Boss” will not sink with the ship.
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Sanction: He has effectively “de-robed” Elliot, stripping him of the political cover that has protected him for over a decade.
The Ghost of the Speakership Tussle
This revelation also sheds light on why the “Obasa Saga” was so sensitive. The Speakership of the Lagos House is the engine room of the state’s legislative agenda. For an appointee in Abuja to be suspected of meddling in that engine room is a cardinal sin in the APC hierarchy.
As the dust settles on this viral video, the political obituary of Desmond Elliot’s fourth-term ambition is being written in real-time. In Nigerian politics, when your godfather tells the world you almost got him fired, it isn’t just an anecdote—it’s a formal eviction notice from the corridors of power.
