Lagos lawmaker and actor Desmond Elliot has said he initially believed President Bola Tinubu approved the removal of former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, amid the political crisis surrounding the leadership of the Assembly.
Elliot made the remark while speaking on recent developments within the Lagos legislature, explaining that many party loyalists and lawmakers were uncertain about the position of key political leaders during the dispute.
According to him, the situation created confusion among members of the Assembly and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), especially because of Obasa’s long-standing political relationship with Tinubu.
“I thought the President was aware and had approved the move,” Elliot reportedly said, adding that events that followed later suggested otherwise.
The Surulere lawmaker noted that the controversy exposed internal disagreements within the political structure in Lagos and sparked intense speculation over who supported the leadership changes in the Assembly.
Obasa’s removal had generated widespread reactions within political circles, with different camps allegedly pushing conflicting interests over the control of the legislature. The development also fueled debate about the influence of party leaders in decisions affecting the Assembly.
Elliot, however, called for unity within the APC, warning that prolonged divisions could weaken the party ahead of future political contests.
He stressed the need for dialogue and reconciliation among stakeholders, saying the stability of the Assembly and the party should remain a priority.
Political observers say the comments provide fresh insight into the behind-the-scenes tensions that surrounded the attempted leadership shake-up in the Lagos Assembly.
The crisis had drawn significant attention because of Lagos State’s strategic importance in national politics and Tinubu’s longstanding influence in the state’s political structure.
Although efforts have reportedly been made to calm tensions, analysts believe the episode exposed deeper rivalries and power struggles within the ruling party in Lagos.
Neither the Presidency nor Obasa had officially responded to Elliot’s remarks as of the time of filing this report.
