Fashola rules out presidential ambition, expresses satisfaction in public service record

Former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has ruled out any ambition to contest Nigeria’s presidency, saying he is satisfied with his current role and would rather allow history to judge his record in public service.

Speaking during an interview on TVC on Wednesday, Fashola gave a firm “No” when asked if he planned to run for president. When the question was repeated, he jokingly replied, “President of what? I’m president at home”.

The former minister described his more than two decades in public service as an extraordinary privilege and expressed hope that his journey would inspire younger Nigerians to believe in the opportunities the country offers.

“My journey has been an unimaginable privilege, and I hope that it, in some way, inspires another generation about the possibilities of this country. Our country is also a place where there are so many stories of rags to riches and grass to grace. I hope that it inspires another generation,” he said.

Fashola said he would not attempt to shape how history remembers him, insisting that history should be left to make its own judgment.

He also declined to revisit speculation over his preferred successor ahead of the 2015 Lagos State governorship election and confirmed that he remains a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council, stressing that there is a clear distinction between offering advice and interfering in government affairs.

The former governor called for greater public confidence in the judiciary, warning that persistent attacks on the courts could weaken democratic institutions. He also said democracy requires a vibrant opposition and urged Nigerians to build consensus on key national issues, including taxation, foreign policy and legislative oversight.

On Lagos’ recurring flooding, Fashola attributed the problem partly to the state’s coastal location and indiscriminate waste disposal, saying lasting solutions require cooperation between government and residents. He also backed the Tinubu administration’s fiscal and monetary reforms and reiterated his support for state police, while cautioning that it may not provide an immediate solution to the country’s security challenges.