Desmond Elliot dismisses rift rumours with Gbajabiamila

Lagos State House of Assembly member, Desmond Elliot, has dismissed rumours of a breakdown in his relationship with the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Speaking during an interview with BBC Pidgin on Tuesday, the Surulere Constituency lawmaker insisted that he remains loyal to both President Tinubu and Gbajabiamila despite recent political tensions.

Elliot said democracy should not be treated like a military system where authority is openly challenged.

He said: “We are in a democracy and not a military regime.

“The names of President Tinubu and Gbajabiamila are too big for me.”

The actor-turned-politician described Gbajabiamila as both his political leader and father figure, adding that occasional misunderstandings should not be exaggerated.

“I don’t only have a relationship with Gbajiabiamila.

“He is my boss.

“I’m loyal to him, and he loves me like a son.

“In life, even between father and son, there can be small issues once in a while, and people settle it,” he said.

Elliot also stated that he was not expecting outside intervention in any perceived disagreement.

“I’m not waiting for anybody to settle anything.

“A child can apologise to the father, and the father will calm down when he is ready.

“But it is not the child that will tell the father when to calm down,” he said.

The lawmaker stressed that he would never abandon Gbajabiamila despite the political situation.

“God forbid that I will leave my father.

“The president can call me and say, ‘Boy, that is not you,’” he added.

Reacting to questions linking him to the Lagos Assembly leadership crisis and the presidency, Elliot declined to speak extensively on the issue.

He said: “That one is beyond my power.

“I don’t think I should answer questions like that.

“Let me focus on what concerns me.”

According to him, his priority remains grassroots mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress and supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Elliot said: “What concerns me now is how to make the people of Surulere happy so they will continue to support my party.

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“When they support my party, we will bring my president back for a second term so he can leave a legacy.”

The lawmaker also admitted that the recent political developments had strengthened his faith.

“The good thing about all this is that it has brought me closer to God.

“You cannot do this work without God,” he stated.

Speaking further on his political future, Elliot reaffirmed his commitment to the APC and Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

“I’m still a party member.

“I will follow my party.

“My prayer is that President Bola Tinubu returns as president.

“I want him to leave a legacy that will amaze people,” he added.

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