You can’t speak truth to power under this government – Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying it has become difficult to speak the truth under the current federal government.

Makinde made the remarks on Saturday at an event in Ibadan, where he contrasted the present situation with what he described as a more consultative leadership style during the tenure of the late President Muhammadu Buhari. The gathering was attended by several dignitaries, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whose leadership approach Makinde openly praised.

“You cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation,” Makinde said, as he faulted the handling of the federal government’s tax reform bills.

Reflecting on recent developments, the governor said, “We had the same situation in this dispensation; it was the tax bill, and we said, ‘Look, bring the tax bill; bring it back; let us all have an opportunity to look dispassionately at it.’”

According to him, the concerns raised by governors were ignored. “They said the tax bill will go ahead. It is an affront for even the governors to be saying that what the presidency has done to send the tax bill to the National Assembly. The tax bill, we don’t know what was passed at the National Assembly, we don’t also know what was signed up. When I say I miss you, I miss you so much sir,” Makinde said, directing his comments at Osinbajo.

The governor also recalled Osinbajo’s role as chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), noting that his leadership influenced Oyo State’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I remember I was barely seven months into the position of the governor of Oyo State, and that was my very first public service job. And we had a crisis in the country; this was February 2020,” Makinde said.

He continued, “There was COVID, and we came in for the National Economic Council meeting. It was a hot meeting; the chairman of the council (Osinbajo) came in, and a few of my colleagues. I wasn’t sure whether they held a meeting before that meeting, but they came in and said we should all go back and lock down our state. So, for Oyo State people, why I did not lock down during COVID was because of his decision.”

Makinde concluded by expressing personal admiration for Osinbajo’s leadership style, saying, “Sir, I personally miss you in that position (presidency). A lot of people may not know why things are not really the same. It’s not a political talk because I’m not on that podium.”