Former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said he deliberately avoids criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration in public because he has direct access to the President and prefers to share his opinions privately.
Fashola made the disclosure during an interview on TVC News, where he was asked why he has remained largely silent on the performance of the current administration despite no longer holding public office.
According to him, President Tinubu frequently consults him on governance and seeks his views on areas that require improvement, especially as the government prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Explaining his position, Fashola said offering advice through the media would serve little purpose when he already has the opportunity to communicate directly with the President.
“If the President calls me and asks where his administration should improve, I will tell him privately. I don’t see the need to offer that advice on television,” he said.
The former minister noted that he has already shared suggestions with Tinubu on several issues and believes maintaining that private channel of communication is more constructive than making public statements.
Responding to a question about whether the administration had developed blind spots after nearly three years in office, Fashola dismissed the idea, saying those with direct access to the President should use it responsibly.
“There are no blind spots. You don’t shout at someone whose ear you already have,” he remarked.
‘I’m Not Running for President’
Fashola also ruled out any future presidential ambition, putting an end to recurring speculation about his political future.
When asked if he would consider contesting for Nigeria’s highest office, he replied with a simple “No.”
Pressed further, he responded humorously: “President of what? I’m president at home.”
Reflects on His Years in Public Office
Looking back on more than two decades of public service, Fashola described the opportunity to serve as a privilege and expressed hope that his career would inspire more young Nigerians to participate in governance.
He also declined to comment on long-standing speculation over who he preferred to succeed him as Lagos State governor in 2015, refusing to be drawn into discussions involving Obafemi Hamzat and Olasupo Sasore.
Fashola confirmed that he remains a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC), stressing that the body’s responsibility is to offer guidance rather than interfere in government affairs.
“There is a thin line between intervention and interference,” he said.
