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, preferring instead to offer his advice directly to the President through private channels.
Fashola made the disclosure during an interview on TVC News on Wednesday when he was asked why he had remained largely silent on the performance of the Tinubu administration despite his vast experience in public office.
According to the former minister, President Tinubu regularly consults him on governance matters and recently sought his views on areas the administration should improve ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“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.
He explained that because he enjoys direct access to the President, it would be inappropriate to use television interviews as a platform to communicate advice that could be delivered privately.
“I have his ears, and when I need to see him, I’ve advised on a few things. I think that we must keep that channel open. It’s not my intention to advise him on television,” he added.
When asked whether he believed the administration had developed blind spots after three years in office, Fashola rejected the suggestion, insisting that his ability to communicate directly with the President made public criticism unnecessary.
“There are no blind spots in this administration. You can’t be shouting at somebody whose ear you have,” he said.
The interviewer noted that Fashola had maintained the same position even after leaving executive office, despite expectations that he would become more outspoken on national issues.
Responding to speculation about his political future, Fashola ruled out any ambition to contest Nigeria’s presidency.
Asked directly whether he intended to run for the country’s highest office, he replied simply, “No.”
When pressed further, the former Lagos governor responded with a smile, saying, “President of what? I’m president at home.”
Fashola also reflected on his over two decades in public service, describing the opportunity to serve at different levels of government as a privilege he never imagined.
He expressed hope that his journey would inspire younger Nigerians to pursue public service and contribute to national development.
The former minister also declined to revisit long-standing debates over whether he had preferred Obafemi Hamzat or Olasupo Sasore as his successor ahead of the 2015 Lagos State governorship election.
Fashola confirmed that he remains a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC) but stressed that there is a clear distinction between providing guidance and interfering in the affairs of government.
“There is a thin line between intervention and interference,” he said.