Former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has said he has no plans to run for president.
Speaking during an interview on TVC on Wednesday, Fashola dismissed suggestions that he could join the presidential race.
When asked if he would contest for president, he simply replied, “No.”
When the interviewer asked again if he was considering becoming Nigeria’s president, Fashola joked, “President of what? I’m president at home.”
Fashola described his more than 20 years in public service as a great privilege. He said he hopes his journey will inspire young Nigerians and show them that success is possible in the country.
According to him, Nigeria has many examples of people who rose from humble backgrounds to achieve great success.
He also said he would leave it to history to judge his achievements rather than trying to influence how people remember him.
The former governor refused to comment on old discussions about who he preferred to succeed him as Lagos governor before the 2015 election. He also declined to discuss whether he supported current Deputy Governor Kadri Hamzat or former Attorney General Olasupo Sasore.
Fashola confirmed that he is still a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council. However, he stressed that there is a difference between offering advice and interfering in government affairs.
On national issues, he said Nigerians should continue to trust the judiciary, warning that constant attacks on the courts could weaken democracy.
He also said a strong opposition is important for democracy because it helps improve governance through healthy political competition.
Fashola called for national agreement on important issues such as taxation, foreign policy and legislative oversight. He encouraged professionals and young people to take a more active role in shaping public policies.
Speaking on flooding in Lagos, he said the state’s location along the coast means flooding cannot be completely avoided. However, he noted that poor waste disposal by residents makes the situation worse.
According to him, solving the flooding problem requires cooperation between the government and the public.
Fashola also spoke about President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He said Tinubu remains the same person but now carries greater responsibilities as president.
He expressed support for ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms, including tax measures. He also backed the idea of state police but cautioned that it would not immediately solve Nigeria’s security challenges.
Summing up his career in public service, Fashola said the greatest honour was not holding public office but having the opportunity to serve Nigerians.
“My journey has been an unimaginable privilege, and I hope it inspires another generation about the possibilities of this country,” he said.
