Why some close to Tinubu may not want Fashola in government

Former presidential aide Laolu Akande has claimed that some people around President Bola Tinubu do not want former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola in the Federal Government. He believes this is because Fashola would not accept certain practices in the administration.

Akande mentioned that Fashola's absence from the government might also be due to fatigue. But he said that the opposition from those around the President is a bigger reason.

He shared his thoughts during an interview on the Naija Unfiltered podcast published by Symfoni TV on Friday.

"I think the reason why Fashola is not in this government, two reasons. I think Fashola himself has a bit of fatigue, more importantly, I think there are people around the president who don’t want to see Fashola because Fashola is not going to tolerate many of those things that you are seeing around," Akande said.

He added that Fashola is known for standing firm and would not compromise his values to fit in with questionable practices.

"Whatever you say about Fashola, he doesn’t take nonsense and the people who wanted to get some nonsense going, they didn’t want Fashola," he said.

Akande did not name the people he claims are against Fashola joining the administration, nor did he give specific examples of the practices he believes they want to protect.

His claims have not been independently verified.

Fashola served as Lagos governor from 2007 to 2015. He later joined the cabinet of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, where he was Minister of Power, Works and Housing before becoming Minister of Works and Housing.

Since President Tinubu took office in May 2023, Fashola has not held any position in the current administration.

Akande, however, said Fashola is still close to Tinubu. He claimed that there has been no major public disagreement between the two politicians.

"Even somebody like Fashola, who is still very close to the president, no problems openly," he said. He suggested that there could be hidden issues despite the lack of an open argument.

Akande also criticized what he sees as the limited influence of some capable people in Tinubu’s administration. He argued that the President is not fully benefiting from having people who can challenge him when needed.

He cited Fashola as an example of someone who would stand his ground. He alleged that some people around the President prefer not to have strong figures like Fashola in government.

Akande did not provide proof that Fashola's absence from the administration is due to opposition from people close to Tinubu.

Neither the Presidency nor Fashola has responded to the claims made in the interview.