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Why Some People Around Tinubu Don’t Want Fashola in His Government – Akande
Former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has alleged that some individuals within President Bola Tinubu’s circle do not want former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, to be part of the current administration because of his unwillingness to tolerate certain practices.
Akande argued that while Fashola might be experiencing fatigue after years in public service, resistance from some people around the president could be a more significant reason for his absence from the government.
He made the remarks during an interview on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, where he discussed Tinubu’s administration and the perceived strained relationship between the president and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Akande, who served as Senior Media Aide to Osinbajo under former President Muhammadu Buhari, described Fashola as a principled politician who would not compromise his standards to accommodate others.
“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,” he said.
The former presidential aide further suggested that Fashola’s reputation for standing his ground might have made some individuals within the president’s circle uncomfortable.
“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,” Akande added.
Despite his absence from the administration, Akande maintained that Fashola remained close to Tinubu, noting that the former minister had not experienced any major public fallout with the president.
He, however, hinted at possible underlying tensions between the two politicians, despite the absence of an open confrontation.
“Even somebody like Fashola, who is still very close to the president — no problems openly, although they are also under current which he will speak about, but at least he didn’t have any blowout problem with the man,” he said.
Akande maintained that the opposition to Fashola’s inclusion in Tinubu’s government might have more to do with his unwillingness to tolerate certain practices than with his personal reluctance to return to public office.
Fashola served as governor of Lagos State from 2007 to 2015 before joining Buhari’s cabinet. He initially served as Minister of Power, Works and Housing before later becoming Minister of Works and Housing.
He has yet to occupy any position in Tinubu’s administration.