Desmond Elliot apologises to Gbajabiamila over Lagos Assembly speakership row

Desmond Elliot, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has apologised to Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, over alleged involvement in political moves during the Lagos Assembly crisis in January 2025. Mr Elliot made the apology on Friday during an appearance on TVC's Your View, stating that any offence caused was not intentional and reaffirming his loyalty to the party. The apology follows Mr Gbajabiamila's revelation that he nearly lost his position as Chief of Staff after President Tinubu confronted him about intelligence reports linking Mr Elliot to the speakership tussle in the Assembly. Mr Gbajabiamila denied the allegations against him.

Mr Elliot referred to Mr Gbajabiamila as his political mentor and elder brother, saying he learned politics under him. "I'm not saying, oh, yes, media will come out, oh yes, Desmond begs again. Yes, because he's my egbon. And I grew up learning everything I knew in politics through him," he said. He acknowledged that misunderstandings are part of political relationships, adding, "To err is human, to forgive is divine. So I'm sorry, my daddy, if I've offended you in any way." Mr Elliot also apologised to a woman he called the "matriarch of Surulere," saying, "Mama, I'm sorry if I've offended you."

Despite the controversy, Mr Elliot insisted he remains committed to strengthening the party and serving his constituents in Surulere. He urged residents to judge him by his track record. "But I will keep keeping the party strong. And to all Surulerians, my scorecard is there. You know the things I've done to make Surulere a better place," he said.

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