Desmond Elliot, lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos House of Assembly, has apologised to Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, over his conduct during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in May.
In a viral video circulating on social media, Elliot is seen kneeling before Gbajabiamila and pleading for forgiveness.
“I don’t have any excuse. I have nothing to say other than that I am deeply sorry, sir. In our culture, we prostrate,” he said.
In May, Gbajabiamila said Elliot’s involvement in the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa, the Lagos assembly speaker, during the 2025 leadership crisis nearly cost him his job.
Obasa was removed as speaker after a majority of legislators accused him of gross misconduct and abuse of office. Subsequently, Mojisola Meranda, then-deputy speaker, was elected the first female speaker of the house.
After 49 days in office, Meranda stepped down as speaker, and Obasa was reinstated following Tinubu’s intervention.
Elliot later apologised to Gbajabiamila, saying he thought the plot to impeach Obasa had Tinubu’s backing.
The incident strained the relationship between the two politicians, with Gbajabiamila later backing Odunuga-Bakare to succeed Elliot, who was seeking a fourth term in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Despite Gbajabiamila’s withdrawal of support for his bid, Elliot proceeded with his candidacy but lost the election.
Elliot rejected the election outcome, alleged that his supporters were suppressed and intimidated during the election, and threatened to challenge the results.
