Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has said he prefers to offer advice to President Bola Tinubu privately rather than criticise or assess his administration publicly.

Fashola made the remarks during an interview on TVC News on Wednesday after he was asked why he had refrained from commenting openly on the President’s performance.

According to him, President Tinubu has direct access to him and often seeks his opinion on issues requiring attention, particularly as the administration prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Explaining his position, Fashola said he deliberately chose not to advise the President through the media.

“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 had already offered the President advice on several matters, stressing that preserving that private communication channel was more valuable than making public comments.

“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 said.

When asked whether the Tinubu administration had any blind spots after three years in office, Fashola rejected the suggestion, saying his direct access to the President made public criticism unnecessary.

“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 Fashola had maintained the same position despite no longer holding public office, with many expecting him to speak more openly about the government’s performance.

During the interview, Fashola also ruled out any ambition to contest the presidency, saying he had no interest in seeking the nation’s highest office.

Asked if he would run for president, he replied, “No.”

When pressed further, he smiled and said, “President of what? I’m president at home.”

Reflecting on his more than 20 years in public service, Fashola described the opportunity to serve as an extraordinary privilege and expressed hope that his experience would inspire younger Nigerians.

He also declined to address speculation over whether he supported Kadri Hamzat or Olasupo Sasore as his preferred successor before the 2015 Lagos governorship election.

Fashola confirmed that he remains a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council but stressed the need to distinguish between offering counsel and interfering in government.

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