“You cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation” — Makinde knocks Tinubu administration

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, stating that openness and honest engagement with those in power have become increasingly difficult under the current government.

Makinde made the remark on Saturday at an event in Ibadan, where he contrasted the present situation with what he described as a more inclusive and consultative leadership style during the era of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

The gathering was attended by several dignitaries, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whose approach to governance Makinde said he deeply admired and missed.

“You cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation,” Makinde said, as he expressed concern over how the Tinubu administration handled the controversial tax reform bills.

“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.’

“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,” he said.

Makinde further explained that Osinbajo’s leadership as chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC) significantly shaped his decision-making, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recalling events from early 2020, the governor said he was barely seven months into office when the pandemic broke out and tough decisions had to be made.

“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.

“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.

“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,” Makinde stated.