Governor Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo has lamented that it has become difficult to speak truth to power under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of President Bola Tinubu, president.
Makinde made the comment on Sunday at a public event in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, which was attended by dignitaries including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Makinde compared the current administration with the immediate past government of Muhammadu Buhari, saying the latter adopted a more consultative approach.
Picking holes in the handling of the tax reform bills by the incumbent administration, the governor said: “You cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation. 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 said.
Addressing Osinbajo, the Oyo governor said: “When I say I miss you, I miss you so much sir.”
Makinde credited Osinbajo with shaping his leadership style, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said his decision not to impose a full lockdown in Oyo was influenced by Osinbajo’s stance at the national economic council.
His words: “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. 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.”
“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” he added.