Fashola Addresses 2027 Presidential Ambition

Former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has ruled out any plan to contest for Nigeria’s presidency, saying he has no interest in seeking the country’s highest political office.

Fashola made his position known during an interview on TVC on Wednesday, where he dismissed speculation that he could join the race for the presidency.

When asked directly whether he intended to contest for president, the former minister gave a clear answer in the negative. Pressed further on the issue, he jokingly remarked that he was already “president at home,” making it clear that he had no presidential ambition.

Looking back on his more than 20 years in public service, Fashola described his political journey as a rare opportunity and expressed hope that his experience would encourage young Nigerians to believe in the possibilities available within the country.

He said Nigeria remains a place where people from modest backgrounds can rise to positions of leadership and influence through dedication and hard work. According to him, many success stories within the country prove that individuals can overcome difficult beginnings and achieve remarkable progress.

Speaking on how he would like to be remembered, Fashola said he would rather allow history to judge his contributions instead of attempting to shape his own legacy.

The former Lagos governor also declined to revisit discussions surrounding who he preferred as his successor before the 2015 governorship election in Lagos. He refused to comment on reports linking Deputy Governor Kadri Hamzat and former Attorney-General Olasupo Sasore to those succession debates.

Fashola confirmed that he remains a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council, adding that there is “a thin line between intervention and interference.”

Beyond politics, he called for stronger public trust in the judiciary and said Nigeria’s democracy would benefit from a vibrant and effective opposition. He also advocated broader national agreement on major policy issues and supported the creation of state police, although he warned that the measure alone would not provide an immediate solution to the country’s security challenges.

On environmental issues, Fashola attributed the recurring flooding in Lagos partly to indiscriminate waste disposal by residents, while also noting that the state’s coastal location contributes to the problem.