The media screamed, Desmond apologises to Gbaja and rightly so
This is exactly what a true party man and loyal godson should do
No matter what, no matter the issue, Desmond is not a bastard. He is a thoroughbred omoluabi who knows how to prostrate to not only his elders but the structure that has given him so much
Note, in all of these, he has not insulted his godfather, pointed a finger at the structure, abused the rules of his party or launched attacks on his party leaders unlike some others who had not only abused the living daylights of the structure, but also decamped and ran back and were still forgiven
Desmond remains true to his calling as a loyal Party man, true to his calling as a true political son of Mr Gbaja and has not shied away in any moment to shout his loyalty both to Gbaja and the party
In discussions with me, he continues to state this and even went on air to state clearly his loyalty and respect to the party and its ideals and capped it with a huge apology to a man who has done him so much wrong
Gbaja took to the microphone and made statements that according to Desmond were not entirely true
Desmond according to him, knew nothing about the Obasa coup as against Gbaja’s assertion
Desmond confirmed to me, that he sought instructions from Gbaja on how to move and he got his marching orders from that quarter, which he diligently executed while reporting back
So where the assertion of nearly losing his job cos of Desmond is coming from is looking like Mr Gbaja is about to submit a movie script for the AMVCAs as best political fiction
We all know why he nearly lost his job and where he perches in the scheme of things at Aso Rock and it really has nothing to do with Desmond
But let me leave all of that and say something very pointedly to President Tinubu and the APC.
When an old guard is being challenged like this and especially by a younger very loyal and responsible party man like this, you should stand aside instead of attempting to deploy all structures to bully the young one
You see, this fight is a win-win for President Tinubu and the APC
If Gbaja wins, then Gbaja still retains full power in the strategic Surulere and is well positioned to deliver that enclave for his party in the looming 2027 elections
If Desmond wins, a new king is crowned. A new king who has the strength of youth giving him a longer reign and the vigour to consolidate, breathe fresh blood into the system, grow it, drag in new members and align with the youth that is City Boys and bring in a new dawn for APC
APC, if they remain strategic should use this to even test Gbaja’s hold on the place.
They should stand clear and use this as a litmus test for Gbaja if he remains relevant in Surulere
Helping him quell this insurrection by using the establishment party structure, for which he has asked for help by calling President Tinubu’s name and DSS will only amount to using pancake to cover the roughed-up face messed up by multiple pimples
Let Gbaja and Desmond face the Surulere people and let the real man win, either way, the APC wins
If you help Gbaja defeat Desmond, would you also be helping Gbaja throughout the myriad of elections coming up in 2027 when you would be facing a very potent challenge from Obi and Kwakwanso
What you need in 2027 are footsoldiers who can deliver their areas without help so that you can concentrate on hanging areas and wrestle that down with vigour
You don’t want to be fighting Obi in the huge voting areas like Kano and Rivers and be using one eye to be looking at Surulere where Gbaja is struggling, a Surulere that should be taken for granted
Remember how LP nearly overran Surulere in the last elections or even in Lagos
APC needs to test their so-called godfathers not only in Surulere but nationwide to see if they remain sturdy and ready for 2027
I suspect Gbaja has lost it in Surulere hence his invoking Tinubu’s name in a fight between him and his political godson
I wouldn’t do that in his shoes. It’s an attempt at bullying and throwing up access which is cowardly
It is what Yorubas call agbaya things. Ohh Mr President said this and that, ohh DSS said this and that, all na agbaya things
They even threw in their aged mother who should be raising her legs in blissful retirement to bless a candidate Surulere does not know but Desmond sent prayers and blessings to mummy whose great national contribution was giving us Gbaja
Let the better man win and either way, Tinubu and APC wins
This is why they should stand clear.
Come and beat me
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: May 16, 2026
