Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has ruled out running for the presidency or airing criticisms of President Bola Tinubu on air, maintaining that offering private counsel to the administration is far more constructive than public commentary.
Speaking during an interview on TVC News on Wednesday, the former Minister of Works and Housing addressed why he avoids publicly assessing the President’s performance three years into his tenure, despite expectations that stepped-back political status would make him more vocal. Fashola revealed that President Tinubu engages him directly for feedback ahead of the 2027 elections, making television critiques completely unnecessary.
“He calls me today, and he says, ‘Today, identify one area where my administration must improve as we count down to 2027. What would you advise me?’ So, I will speak to the President on TV? I’ve told myself I would not do that,” Fashola said.
Emphasising that maintaining an open, direct line of communication with the President is paramount, he dismissed claims that the administration suffers from blind spots. “There are no blind spots in this administration. You can’t be shouting at somebody whose ear you have,” he remarked, noting that he has already quietly advised the President on a range of matters.
When questioned about his own future ambitions, the former governor firmly shut down speculation regarding a presidential bid with a brief “No,” lightheartedly adding with a smile, “President of what? I’m president at home.”