Lagos lawmaker and actor Desmond Elliot has said he has apologized to Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over their recent political fallout in Surulere, adding that he is waiting for his political leader to “cool down.”
Elliot made the statement after picking up his nomination form to seek re-election for the Surulere Constituency 1 seat ahead of the 2027 polls. Speaking to party members, he addressed the rift with Gbajabiamila, who he described as his leader and mentor.
“Our leader is a compassionate leader. A leader of thought. We are children. Children sometimes err. If I have erred in any way, my leader, I am sorry. Give me another chance, and let’s move on, and let’s bring more dividends of democracy to the people,” Elliot said.
He added that even though Gbajabiamila had not publicly accused him of wrongdoing, he was making the apology preemptively. “Although he has not said that I have erred, I’m just saying that if I have, then this is the situation,” he said.
The lawmaker also pushed back against any notion of intimidation in the party’s internal process. “When he’s ready he will cool down. We no dey military regime,” Elliot said, stressing that APC members should be allowed to contest and settle differences through democratic means.
The comment comes after Gbajabiamila revealed at a constituency stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos that he nearly lost his position as Chief of Staff over the political crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly during the speakership tussle involving Mudashiru Obasa. Gbajabiamila said President Bola Tinubu had summoned him and questioned him over allegations that Elliot was involved in moves to destabilize the House.
The Surulere political dispute has become a flashpoint ahead of the APC primaries, with President Tinubu reportedly telling party leaders that the direct primary election will “indicate who commands popular control of Surulere APC politics, not external influence.”
Elliot, who has represented Surulere Constituency 1 since 2015, is seeking a fourth term. He defended his bid by arguing that legislative experience translates to more benefits for constituents.
The public apology and his reference to Nigeria not being under military rule signal an attempt to de-escalate tensions while asserting his right to contest. It remains to be seen whether Gbajabiamila will accept the overture as the party prepares for its primaries…See More
