Desmond Elliot Kneels Before Gbajabiamila, Seeks Reconciliation With Lagos APC

Lagos State House of Assembly member, Desmond Elliot, has reportedly sought forgiveness from Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, following the political disagreements that surrounded the last All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Lagos.

Elliot was seen in a video circulating on social media kneeling before Gbajabiamila while expressing regret over his actions and appealing for reconciliation. The development has renewed attention on the political relationship between the Surulere lawmaker and his long-time political mentor.

According to reports accompanying the video, Elliot admitted that his judgment had been misguided during the APC primary and accepted the outcome of the contest. He also pledged renewed loyalty to the APC leadership structure in Lagos and sought reintegration into what was described as the Lagos APC family.

The latest development follows months of tension between Elliot and elements of the APC leadership in Surulere.

In May, Elliot publicly apologised to Gbajabiamila during an appearance on TVC’s Your View, describing him as his political mentor and “egbon”  an elder brother. He said any misunderstanding between them was not deliberate and asked for forgiveness.

“To err is human, to forgive is divine. So I’m sorry, my daddy, if I’ve offended you in any way,” Elliot said at the time.

The apology came after Gbajabiamila disclosed that he had nearly lost his position as Chief of Staff over allegations connected to Elliot’s political activities during the Lagos State House of Assembly leadership crisis.

Gbajabiamila had said President Tinubu confronted him over intelligence reports alleging that Elliot was involved in moves surrounding the removal of former Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. Elliot subsequently denied masterminding the impeachment, saying he was outside Nigeria when Obasa was removed and only signed the impeachment document after returning.

The disagreement later spilled into the 2026 APC primary for Surulere Constituency I. Elliot had accused unnamed party leaders and local government officials of intimidation and coercion ahead of the exercise, while the contest ultimately ended with Barakat Odunuga-Bakare emerging as the preferred APC candidate.

The latest meeting appears to signal an attempt to close the chapter on the political disagreement, with Elliot seeking to rebuild his relationship with Gbajabiamila and reaffirm his place within the Lagos APC political structure.

Reports on the encounter also said Gbajabiamila received Elliot and embraced him, suggesting a possible thaw in their relationship. However, the circumstances and details of the latest reconciliation are largely based on the circulating video and accompanying social media reports.