Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has ruled out any plan to contest for Nigeria’s presidency, saying he is satisfied with his current life and has no interest in seeking the country’s highest political office.
Fashola made this known during an interview on TVC on Wednesday while responding to questions about reports linking him with a future presidential race. He made it clear that he is not considering a bid for the presidency and joked that he already holds the position of president in his own home.
Speaking about his years in public service, the former governor described his journey as a rare opportunity that allowed him to serve the country in different capacities. He said he hopes his experience will encourage younger Nigerians to believe that hard work and dedication can open doors to leadership and national service.
According to him, Nigeria remains a country where people can rise from modest backgrounds to occupy important positions. He said his personal story is one of many examples that should inspire the younger generation to pursue their dreams and contribute positively to the nation’s growth.
When asked how he would like history to remember him, Fashola declined to define his own legacy. He said it should be left to history and future generations to judge his contributions rather than attempting to shape that narrative himself.
The former minister also refused to revisit discussions surrounding the choice of his preferred successor before the 2015 Lagos State governorship election. He declined to comment on speculations involving Deputy Governor Kadri Hamzat and former Attorney-General Olasupo Sasore.
Fashola confirmed that he is still a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council. While speaking on governance, he noted that there is a clear difference between offering guidance and interfering in government affairs.
He also called for greater public trust in the judiciary and said Nigeria’s democracy would benefit from a strong and active opposition. In addition, he supported the creation of state police but warned that the move alone would not immediately solve the country’s security challenges.
On environmental issues, Fashola said Lagos continues to experience flooding because of its coastal location as well as poor waste disposal habits. He urged residents to adopt better environmental practices to reduce the impact of flooding across the state.