Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, stating that the current federal government does not encourage open and honest engagement.
Makinde made the remarks on Saturday at an event in Ibadan, where he compared the present administration with what he described as a more consultative approach under the late President Muhammadu Buhari. The event was attended by several prominent figures, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whose leadership style Makinde openly commended.
According to the governor, the handling of the federal government’s tax reform bills illustrates the challenge of offering constructive criticism under the current dispensation.
“You cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation,” Makinde said, while faulting the process through which the tax bills were introduced.
He explained that governors had called for broader consultation and a thorough review of the proposed tax reforms, but their concerns were allegedly ignored.
“We asked that the tax bill be brought back so everyone could examine it objectively, but we were told it would proceed. We do not even know what was eventually passed by the National Assembly or what was signed,” Makinde stated.
Directing his comments to Osinbajo, the governor expressed nostalgia for his time in office, saying he greatly missed his leadership and consultative style.
Makinde also recalled Osinbajo’s role as Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), noting that his guidance influenced Oyo State’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He recounted that shortly after assuming office in 2019, the country faced the COVID-19 crisis, during which a National Economic Council meeting was held.
According to Makinde, despite recommendations from some quarters to impose a statewide lockdown, Oyo State chose a different approach based on Osinbajo’s leadership and counsel at the time.
Concluding his remarks, Makinde expressed personal admiration for Osinbajo, saying his absence in the presidency has been felt and that the nation’s governance style has noticeably changed.