How I Nearly Lost My Job Over Desmond Elliot, Lagos Assembly Crisis — Gbajabiamila - Newstrends
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How I Nearly Lost My Job Over Desmond Elliot, Lagos Assembly Crisis — Gbajabiamila

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Presidency Dismisses Allegation Against Gbajabiamila, Says Accuser Is an 'Impostor' Facing Trial
Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu

How I Nearly Lost My Job Over Desmond Elliot, Lagos Assembly Crisis — Gbajabiamila

Lagos, Nigeria – Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has revealed that his position was nearly jeopardized due to the 2025 political crisis within the Lagos State House of Assembly. Speaking at a constituency stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos on Thursday, May 14, 2026, Gbajabiamila recounted a tense confrontation with President Bola Tinubu during the height of the speakership tussle involving Mudashiru Obasa. The conflict centered on reports linking Surulere lawmaker and actor-turned-politician Desmond Elliot to moves aimed at destabilizing the House.

According to Gbajabiamila, the President summoned him to his study in Abuja and pointedly questioned his associate’s role. “Mr President called me to his study in Abuja and said, ‘I hear this Desmond is your boy.’ I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ He then said Desmond was among those causing problems in the Lagos State House of Assembly,” Gbajabiamila recounted. Gbajabiamila immediately defended Elliot, insisting the lawmaker was not involved in any plot against the House leadership. “I told the President that Desmond was not part of them. I hadn’t even confirmed from him yet, but I defended him based on the trust I had in our relationship,” he confessed. However, the President remained skeptical, citing intelligence reports, and directed Gbajabiamila to “call him to order.”

The situation escalated three days later when the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) contacted Gbajabiamila with alarming intelligence. “The Director-General called me and said there was a serious issue, that my name was everywhere as the person supporting Desmond to push for impeachment,” Gbajabiamila disclosed. This development placed the Chief of Staff in an existential political crisis, as it suggested he was the “silent backer” of the rebellion against the President’s interests. “Of course, the President will not believe that Desmond will do such a thing, and I don’t know about it,” Gbajabiamila remarked.

Gbajabiamila stated that he subsequently warned Elliot to distance himself from the crisis and instructed him to issue a public statement denying the allegations. “I told Desmond to go and make a public statement that he was not part of them, but till today he has not done that,” he stated with disappointment. According to Gbajabiamila, rather than comply, the actor-turned-lawmaker “started cutting corners.” The refusal to publicly dissociate himself from the crisis kept the pressure on the Chief of Staff.

Gbajabiamila also leveled serious allegations against Elliot, accusing him of stoking religious tension in the Surulere constituency. He claimed that Elliot had involved the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the political dispute, causing division between Muslims and Christians. “For Desmond to be getting CAN, Christian Association of Nigeria to be writing an official letter to me and to the party, and causing division between the Muslims and the Christians,” Gbajabiamila stated. He maintained that religious sentiment had no place in the constituency, stressing that leaders and residents had always coexisted peacefully regardless of faith backgrounds.

Ultimately, the Chief of Staff credited his long-standing personal relationship with President Tinubu for saving his job. “If not for the kind of relationship I have with the President today, I probably would not still be here as Chief of Staff,” he admitted. He further remarked: “If it were not that I had the kind of relationship I had with the president, I wouldn’t be here today.” The admission underscores the depth of trust between the two political allies, which weathered the storm of the Assembly crisis.

The revelation sheds new light on the internal power struggles of 2025, which saw Speaker Mudashiru Obasa briefly ousted before being reinstated following President Tinubu’s reported intervention. Obasa was impeached on January 13, 2025, by a majority of legislators while he was reportedly returning from the United States. The allegations against him were sweeping — financial impropriety, abuse of office, high-handedness, and authoritarian leadership. In his absence, the chamber installed Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, making history as Lagos’ first female Speaker. However, the impeachment was hailed by its architects as a triumph of accountability, but its choreography raised troubling questions. Reports of a “fake mace” and heavy police presence lent the episode the air of a coup rather than a constitutional process. Obasa himself would later allege that the chamber was broken into and his loyalists intimidated.

Meranda’s tenure lasted just 49 days before she resigned, citing the need to restore harmony. Her resignation paved the way for Obasa’s return, but the decisive blow came from the judiciary. On April 16, 2025, the Lagos High Court declared the January 13 proceedings unconstitutional, null, and void. Justice Yetunde Pinheiro’s ruling was unequivocal: the Assembly had violated its own standing orders and the Constitution.

The timing of Gbajabiamila’s revelation is significant, coming as the 2027 electoral cycle approaches. The once-unbreakable bond between Gbajabiamila and Elliot appears to have fractured beyond repair. Analysts suggest that by making this story public, Gbajabiamila is signaling a total withdrawal of his political umbrella, leaving Desmond Elliot to navigate Lagos politics without his longtime benefactor. The rift became more public after Elliot declared his interest in seeking a fourth term in office. Responding to questions on whether there was a rift between him and Gbajabiamila, Elliot had earlier appealed for reconciliation and forgiveness: “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.” However, Gbajabiamila’s latest comments suggest that the political wound remains fresh, and the political godfather may not be willing to mend fences ahead of the next election cycle.

How I Nearly Lost My Job Over Desmond Elliot, Lagos Assembly Crisis — Gbajabiamila

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Ansar-Ud-Deen Society to Commission New National Headquarters Saturday, Tinubu Expected as Special Guest

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July 31, 2026

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Ansar-Ud-Deen Society to Commission New National Headquarters Saturday, Tinubu Expected as Special Guest

Lagos, Nigeria – The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria is set to commission its new national headquarters on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in Surulere, Lagos, marking another milestone in the organization’s more than a century of service to Islam, education and national development.

According to an official announcement by the society, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is expected to attend the event as the Special Guest of Honour. The President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is scheduled to officially commission the edifice.

The newly completed headquarters, named Hassanat Abebi Okunnu House, is located at 57/61, Fashoro Street, Surulere, Lagos. The project is expected to serve as the administrative hub of the society’s nationwide activities.

The commissioning ceremony is themed around the society’s enduring commitment to service, with the slogan, “A Legacy of Service. A Future of Impact.” The event also carries the broader message, “Building on Our Past. Serving the Present. Inspiring the Future.”

Founded on December 21, 1923, the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria is one of the country’s oldest Islamic organizations, renowned for its contributions to education, moral development, healthcare and community service.

To enable wider participation, the society has announced that the commissioning ceremony will be streamed live via Zoom and on its official Facebook platform, allowing members and well-wishers across Nigeria and beyond to witness the historic occasion virtually.

The event is expected to attract religious leaders, government officials, traditional rulers, members of the society and other distinguished guests from across the country.

Ansar-Ud-Deen Society to Commission New National Headquarters Saturday, Tinubu Expected as Special Guest

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Lagos moves to improve waste disposal, unveils new road, platforms 

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July 31, 2026

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Lagos moves to improve waste disposal, unveils new road, platforms 

 

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to tackle waste disposal challenges by commissioning a rehabilitated internal road and newly constructed disposal platforms at the Olusosun Disposal Facility, a move expected to accelerate waste evacuation and improve sanitation across the state.

The infrastructure, inaugurated on Tuesday through the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), is designed to eliminate operational bottlenecks, improve access within the facility and reduce delays experienced by waste collection trucks, particularly during the rainy season.

Speaking at the commissioning, LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, described the project as a strategic investment aimed at strengthening the state’s waste management system and enhancing operational efficiency at one of Lagos’ busiest disposal facilities.

He explained that the rehabilitation of Road E became necessary after heavy rainfall damaged parts of the route, making it difficult for compactor trucks conveying municipal waste from different parts of the state to access the dumpsite.

According to him, the upgraded road, alongside the newly built disposal platforms, will enable more trucks to offload waste simultaneously, reduce turnaround time and improve the overall flow of waste evacuation operations.

“This project represents another important milestone in our commitment to building a more efficient and resilient waste management system for Lagos. By improving access to the disposal facility and expanding operational capacity, we are addressing immediate challenges while laying the foundation for long-term improvements in waste evacuation across the state,” Gbadegesin said.

The LAWMA boss noted that the intervention reflects Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to strengthening critical waste management infrastructure through strategic partnerships with the private sector.

He commended Zoomlion Nigeria Limited for rehabilitating the road as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, adding that the relationship between the company and LAWMA had grown beyond CSR into a broader technical collaboration focused on improving waste infrastructure across Lagos.

Gbadegesin disclosed that Zoomlion is also constructing modern Transfer Loading Stations at Olusosun and Solous III, each with the capacity to process about 2,500 metric tonnes of waste daily.

He added that the state government is simultaneously investing in Material Recovery Facilities, waste-to-energy plants, biogas projects and the planned acquisition of additional compactor trucks over the next three years to expand waste evacuation capacity and improve service delivery.

According to him, Olusosun currently receives about half of the municipal solid waste generated daily in Lagos, making sustained investment in critical infrastructure essential as the state gradually transitions to a more integrated and environmentally sustainable waste management system.

Gbadegesin also reaffirmed that the planned decommissioning of the Olusosun Disposal Facility would be implemented in phases after adequate alternative infrastructure had been put in place to ensure uninterrupted waste management services.

He urged residents to support government efforts by using assigned Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, paying waste collection bills promptly and avoiding indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

 

Managing Director of Zoomlion Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Habiba Abubakar, said the project was completed in just 26 days, ahead of schedule, describing it as the first phase of a wider partnership with LAWMA to improve waste collection, transfer and disposal infrastructure across Lagos.

 

Also speaking, President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Dr. Olugbenga Adebola, praised the Lagos State Government, LAWMA and Zoomlion for the initiative.

He said improved access to disposal facilities would ease operational challenges faced by PSP operators, reduce waiting time for compactor trucks and significantly enhance waste evacuation across the state.

Adebola expressed confidence that ongoing investments in Transfer Loading Stations and other waste management infrastructure would further strengthen Lagos’ environmental management system and support LAWMA’s long-term reform agenda.

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2027 Hajj: NAHCON Sets N5m Minimum Deposit, Opens Registration for 2028-2030 Seasons

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July 31, 2026

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2027 Hajj: NAHCON Sets N5m Minimum Deposit, Opens Registration for 2028-2030 Seasons

2027 Hajj: NAHCON Sets N5m Minimum Deposit, Opens Registration for 2028-2030 Seasons

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has called on intending pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj to make an initial minimum deposit of N5 million, while also announcing the commencement of advance deposits for the 2028, 2029 and 2030 Hajj seasons. In a statement, NAHCON explained that the early deposit initiative offers intending pilgrims the opportunity to secure their place for the 2027 Hajj exercise and ease the financial burden through advance and phased payments. It also enables the Commission and State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards to undertake timely and efficient arrangements for accommodation, catering, transportation, and Masha’ir services in Makkah, Madinah and the Holy Sites. “Interested persons are therefore encouraged to begin saving towards their pilgrimage through their respective State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Agencies or Commissions, or any approved Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) participating banks,” the Commission stated. The advance deposit initiative, it added, is designed to enable prospective pilgrims to spread the financial cost of Hajj over time, while also enhancing the Commission’s and the state boards’ ability to undertake early planning, secure quality services, and ensure efficient Hajj operations.

NAHCON has strengthened its Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four financial institutions: The Alternative Bank, Jaiz Bank, Lotus Bank, and TAJ Bank. Under the partnership, the banks are mandated to launch user-friendly pilgrims’ registration portals and manage HSS funds strictly in line with Islamic finance principles. Each bank is expected to develop a comprehensive implementation roadmap designed to ensure transparency, protect pilgrims’ interests, and expand nationwide access to the scheme.

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The Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards in Kwara and Taraba states have urged intending pilgrims to complete their fare payments and documentation before September 26, 2026, the deadline set by NAHCON and Saudi authorities. The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, warned that delays in payment or documentation could affect visa processing and prevent intending pilgrims from participating in next year’s pilgrimage. He recalled that in previous Hajj exercises, some pilgrims failed to meet the requirements on time, resulting in visa delays, while others had to seek refunds after missing the deadline. In Taraba State, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Usman Tanko, said intending pilgrims are required to make an initial deposit of N7 million, while the board has concluded plans for a statewide sensitisation campaign to educate prospective pilgrims on the new policies and guidelines introduced by the Saudi authorities. Tanko urged intending pilgrims to pay early to enable the board to meet the deadline and avoid disappointment. He noted that 714 pilgrims from Taraba State successfully performed the 2026 Hajj, although one pilgrim died and another lost a hand in an auto crash before departure.

Other states have also announced their payment guidelines. The Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has set December 1, 2026 as the deadline for completing payments and documentation for the 2027 Hajj. Governor Nasir Idris approved an initial deposit of N5 million, while those able to do so could pay the full fare of N7 million. In Lagos State, intending pilgrims are required to pay an initial deposit of N7 million, with the application form costing N20,000. The deadline for the initial deposit is September 2026.

2027 Hajj: NAHCON Sets N5m Minimum Deposit, Opens Registration for 2028-2030 Seasons

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