Former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola has disclosed that the longest he stayed in Abuja while he was Governor was for two nights consecutively. Fashola disclosed this while explaining why Governors are always in Abuja. He said Governors are part of some constitutional bodies which frequently held their meetings in Abuja.
He said in an exclusive interview with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie on Untold Stories: “There are statutory meetings, constitutional bodies that Governors are part of. One of them is National Economic Council, chaired by the Vice President. We urged that the meetings then be held more frequently (monthly). There is, I believe, the Council of state and the Police Council. Governors are part of these. If those meetings are going to be held, they are often and usually always held in Abuja.
What do Governors need to do, I can only speak of my time. In 8 years, the longest is stayed in Abuja was two nights consecutively. And that happened only twice in 8 years. Oftentimes, I will go the night before.
And Governors will have a pre-meeting because we are 36 and we knew that it was going to be inefficient for 36 of us to be speaking at the next day’s meeting. So we will articulate positions and say Governor this will speak on this issue and so the meetings are business-like and efficient.
Immediately those meetings finished, for me, I was heading to the airport. So for Governors who then choose stay in Abuja, I think that those who they are accountable to should ask them what they are doing in Abuja.”
(From 8:25)