As the battle for the presidency in 2023 gets keener, Minister for Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has finally stated his position on the candidature of his former boss, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Fashola was Tinubu’s Chief of Staff for eight years before he became governor, also for eight years, with the godfatherly backing of the first.
They, however, became relatively estranged before the end of his tenure.
Their relationship has, since then, been one that many watch with suspicious eyes.
Fashola was not outspoken during the primary that produced Tinubu, with some believing he supported the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.
He, however, had an opportunity to express his stance on Sunday evening while speaking on Channels Television.
Although he was not categorical, he said he was contributing his own quota to the actualisation of Tinubu’s ‘lifelong’ ambition.
When asked about his seeming silence and open support for the former Lagos governor, Fashola said he was given his support in the background and was always available to give helping hands when consulted.
On why he believes Nigerians should vote for Tinubu, however, he said he had the capacity to take Nigeria into prosperity, adding that the controversy on the Muslim-Muslim ticket should not be the priority.
“In my own opinion, Asiwaju is the best person to drive that vehicle because I have worked with him at very close quarters and I know his capacity; tenacity and I think sometimes we need to test some hypotheses and the opportunity to test these hypotheses is there.
“My position about religion has been made known on different platforms and I think religion should leave public space and go back to where it belongs; to the homes and religious centres,” he said.
