Fashola at NBA Ikeja: Stop Excusing Misconduct as ‘Politics’

Fashola at NBA Ikeja: Stop Excusing Misconduct as ‘Politics’

Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has challenged Nigerian lawyers to take the lead in strengthening governance through law reform, diligent enforcement of statutes and deeper involvement in public service.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch Law Week in Lagos, Fashola delivered the keynote titled “Law, Leadership and the Ballot: Governance Beyond Politics” under the theme “Altering the Status Quo: Going Against the Norm.”

The Senior Advocate argued that governance must not be reduced to electioneering and party rivalries. He said the real focus should be on using laws effectively to improve the living standards of citizens. With political activities heightening ahead of future polls, he urged that conversations on governance should move beyond partisan lines.

He also criticised the overuse of the phrase “status quo” in political and legal debates, saying it has become confusing. He suggested plainer terms such as “current situation” or “state of affairs” to make discussions clearer to the public.

Fashola faulted the tendency to excuse wrongdoing as political practice.

“How many times have we witnessed conduct that is clearly wrong, only to be told ‘that’s just politics’? Bad behaviour is not politics. It is simply bad behaviour,” he declared. He stressed that politics, properly understood as the science and art of government, should serve collective interests, not personal agendas.

Defining good governance, he said it is government’s ability to meet constitutional responsibilities and address citizens’ needs. He referenced the 1999 Constitution, which mandates government to ensure security, welfare, education, environmental protection and food security.

The former minister pushed for evidence-based decision making, urging governments to rely on surveys and research to gauge public needs. He maintained that state and local governments are better equipped to deliver because they are closer to the people.

“While responsibilities are shared across tiers, sub-national governments are best positioned to deliver good governance on account of proximity of power,” he said.

On enforcement, Fashola decried rampant breaches of traffic regulations, especially driving against traffic, which he called a major threat to safety. He recommended stiffer punishments, including longer prison terms without fine options, for offenders whose actions put lives at risk.

He further noted that governance is a joint responsibility, reminding citizens of duties such as tax payment, community service and support for law enforcement. He questioned Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement, pointing to the continued use of petrol-powered motorcycles and tricycles that increase carbon emissions.

Fashola canvassed wider adoption of cleaner energy options like compressed natural gas and stricter enforcement of vehicle registration to eliminate anonymity in the transport sector.

In his welcome remarks, Chairman of NBA Ikeja Branch, Adeniyi Quadri, said the Law Week theme was timely amid Nigeria’s economic, security and governance pressures. He noted the event was designed to generate ideas on leadership, justice delivery and the future of the legal profession.

Senior Advocate Kemi Pinheiro praised the branch for its intellectual depth, while former NBA General Secretary Jonathan Taidi (SAN) urged lawyers to uphold justice and strengthen institutions. Victor Opara (SAN), Chairman of the branch’s Continuing Legal Education Committee, also tasked lawyers with offering practical solutions to Nigeria’s growing security challenges