Fashola Discloses Reason For Not Contesting For Presidency In 2023

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has condemned those above 60 jostling for public offices in Nigeria.

Sharing his thoughts on the political environment of the country during an interview with Punch, the former governor of Lagos state insisted that he decided not to seek any political position in 2023 because he believeit was time to give the younger generation a chance.

He said: “We are talking about young people, is it not time for us to leave the space? I came in at 39, I’m going at 60, let some 30-year olds too come and start their journey. It’s time to go.”

However, Fashola’s belief on the age limit of public office holders does not align with the All Progressives Congress decision to field his predecessor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is 76, as its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.

But Fashola said he cannot answer for his party’s decision to field Tinubu for Nigeria’s top job, saying it was Tinubu’s personal decision.

“I’ve answered you about myself and that’s my own decision. The candidate also has his own decision to make that he wants to lead the country in an elected capacity,” Mr Fashola said.

When asked about his next political move, the minister replied, “I’m going home. You see, next year, it will be 35 years since I left school, 1988 to 2023. So, if I took a public service career, I will retire next year, because the rule is 35 years of service or 60 years of age, and coincidentally by next year, I’ll be 60 years.”