Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying it has become difficult to “speak truth to power” under the current government, unlike during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Makinde, who spoke at a public event in Ibadan, said he missed the leadership style of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, particularly his consultative role as chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC).
He faulted the Tinubu administration’s handling of the tax reform bills, describing the process as dismissive of governors’ concerns.
According to the governor, states were not adequately consulted before the tax bills were passed and signed, adding that such an approach amounted to an affront to subnational governments.
He noted that Osinbajo’s inclusive leadership style under Buhari influenced key decisions he took as governor, including his handling of COVID-19 restrictions in Oyo State.
Reacting, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, dismissed Makinde’s comments as politically motivated, claiming the Oyo governor turned critical after allegedly receiving a cold reception from President Tinubu during a recent visit to the Presidential Villa.
Fayose alleged that Makinde is positioning himself as an “emergency opposition mouthpiece” ahead of 2027, insisting that Tinubu has made it clear he will back APC candidates in Oyo State.
He also claimed Makinde may field a candidate on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), arguing that the PDP would no longer be available for his political ambitions.