There has been much talk about the non-inclusion of Babatunde Fashola, a former Lagos governor and Minister of Power, Works and Housing, in President Tinubu’s cabinet.
With the rumours come speculation, but the politician has come out to speak on the topic.
Fashola, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, says he does not need a title to serve in the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
In his view, the administration is birthing the next generation of leaders.
Fashola is a close aide of Tinubu, and he served in his government when he was a Governor of Lagos State.
The former minster made the clarification in an interview with reporters at the Lagos State University, Ojo, on Tuesday.
He was at the University to deliver a keynote address at the institution’s fifth research and innovation fair.
Not Enough Office For Everyone
The former Lagos State Governor, who also served as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff when the President was governor of the state, was responding to a question on his role in the present administration at the federal level and the possibility of an appointment.
He said: “I do not need a title to serve: the president can only appoint at least one minister, for example, from each state which he has done.
“There are just enough places in parastatals, they are doing that. We are estimated to be 200 million, so there are not enough offices to take everybody.
“All of us must play our roles as citizens, and a citizen does not need a title to serve.
“The biggest title you need is that of being a citizen and playing our role. We are also talking about the next generation.
”If some do not move on, where is the place for the next batch?”
He said there was a need to bring more outstanding public-spirited people to occupy spaces as they evolve.
