Governor Makinde Laments Difficulty in Speaking Truth to Power Under Current Government
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has publicly expressed his concerns about the current political climate in Nigeria, stating that it has become increasingly challenging to speak truth to power under the administration led by President Bola Tinubu. The governor made these remarks during a significant event held on Saturday in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, where he compared the present situation with what he described as a more consultative approach during the tenure of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Event Highlights and Dignitaries Present
The gathering attracted numerous high-profile dignitaries, including the immediate past Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo. Governor Makinde took the opportunity to express his admiration for Osinbajo's leadership style, noting that he deeply misses the former vice president's influence in governance. "You cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation," Makinde asserted, while criticizing the current administration's handling of the tax reform bills. He elaborated on this point by recounting a specific incident involving the tax legislation.
Criticism of Tax Reform Process
Governor Makinde detailed how the tax bill was handled, emphasizing the lack of transparency and consultation. "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," he explained. This statement underscores his frustration with the perceived top-down approach of the Tinubu administration.
Praise for Osinbajo's Leadership During COVID-19
In his speech, Governor Makinde also reflected on Osinbajo's role as chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC) and how it impacted his decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. He recalled, "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." This anecdote highlights the collaborative and thoughtful leadership he associates with Osinbajo.
Conclusion and Personal Reflections
Governor Makinde concluded his remarks by reiterating his personal sentiments towards Osinbajo, stating, "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." This statement reinforces his view that the current administration lacks the consultative and transparent governance style he valued in the past, contributing to the difficulty in speaking truth to power today.
