Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has revealed a tense political situation that almost cost him his job. In a recent video, he recounted how his support for Desmond Elliot, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, led to a crisis that threatened his position. This story highlights the intricate dynamics within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the challenges faced by political figures in Nigeria.
Gbajabiamila's account begins with a charged atmosphere in a room filled with party members and supporters. He describes how President Tinubu summoned him to his Abuja residence during the peak of the crisis, confronted him with intelligence reports linking Elliot to the controversial impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. The President's words, 'I hear this Desmond is your boy,' set the stage for a confrontation.
Gbajabiamila firmly denied the accusation, asserting that he hadn't spoken to Elliot and that he wasn't involved. However, the President insisted on the intelligence suggesting otherwise, demanding that Gbajabiamila relay a warning to Elliot. This led to a phone call between Gbajabiamila and Elliot, where the latter was advised to 'get out of there' if he was indeed part of the impeachment plot.
The situation escalated further when the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) contacted Gbajabiamila, accusing him of supporting Elliot and being involved in the crisis. Gbajabiamila again denied any involvement and informed the SSS chief that he would speak with Elliot. He also advised Elliot to publicly deny the allegations, but no statement has been issued.
This incident comes amidst growing political tension within the Surulere chapter of the APC. Some stakeholders have accused Gbajabiamila's associates of attempting to influence the succession battle for the Surulere Constituency I seat, currently held by Elliot. A female aspirant, believed to have the backing of figures linked to Gbajabiamila's camp, was positioned ahead of the party primaries, triggering accusations of imposition and deepening divisions within the local APC structure.
The controversy extends to the removal and reinstatement of Mr. Obasa, allegedly at the instance of President Tinubu, who is also from Lagos. This further complicates the political landscape, as it involves the interplay of personal loyalties, political influence, and the power dynamics within the APC.
Gbajabiamila's story raises questions about the challenges faced by political figures in Nigeria, where personal loyalties and political influence can shape the course of events. It also underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in political processes, especially in a country with a history of political instability and power struggles.
