‘I Won’t Advise Tinubu on TV’ — Fashola Reveals Why He Avoids Public Criticism of President

• Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has revealed that he prefers to advise President Bola Tinubu privately rather than criticise his administration publicly.

Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has explained why he has largely refrained from publicly criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying he prefers to offer his advice directly to the President behind closed doors.

Speaking during an interview on TVC News on Wednesday, Fashola disclosed that President Tinubu frequently reaches out to him for advice, particularly on areas where the administration needs improvement as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.

According to him, maintaining a private channel of communication with the President is more productive than airing his views on television.

“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.

The former minister noted that he already has direct access to the President and has shared his views with him on several important issues.

“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 the Tinubu administration had developed “blind spots” after three years in office, Fashola dismissed the suggestion.

He insisted that because he has direct access to the President, there is no need to criticise the government publicly.

“There are no blind spots in this administration. You can’t be shouting at somebody whose ear you have,” he said.

The interviewer observed that many Nigerians had expected Fashola to become more outspoken after leaving active public office, but the former Lagos governor maintained that private engagement remains his preferred approach.

Fashola Rules Out Presidential Ambition

During the interview, Fashola also dismissed speculation that he could contest Nigeria’s presidency in the future.

When asked if he intended to run for president, he gave a blunt response.

“No.”

Pressed further, he jokingly replied:

“President of what? I’m president at home.”

Fashola also reflected on his more than two decades in public service, describing the opportunity to serve as an honour he never imagined and expressing hope that his journey would inspire younger Nigerians.

He declined to comment on long-standing speculation over whether he supported Obafemi Hamzat or Olasupo Sasore as his preferred successor before the 2015 Lagos governorship election.

The former governor also confirmed that he remains a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC) but stressed that there is a clear distinction between offering advice and interfering in government affairs.

“There is a thin line between intervention and interference,” he said.