Desmond Elliot, a lawmaker representing Surulere 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, says members of the assembly believed the move to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa had the backing of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on the political crisis that rocked the Lagos assembly earlier this year, Elliot said lawmakers were left “confused” throughout the unfolding power struggle.
In January 2025, Obasa was removed as speaker after a majority of lawmakers accused him of gross misconduct and abuse of office, triggering one of the most dramatic leadership battles in Lagos politics in recent years.
Elliot said many legislators initially assumed the impeachment plot had the support of Tinubu, widely regarded as Nigeria’s most influential political figure and a dominant force in Lagos politics.
“The whole situation confused all of us,” Elliot reportedly said, reflecting on the tense political standoff that divided the assembly and sparked speculation over hidden power alignments within the ruling establishment.
The impeachment saga drew national attention at the time, exposing deep cracks within the Lagos political structure and raising questions about loyalty, influence and control inside the state legislature.
