Makinde An Ingrate For Attacking Tinubu’s Administration — Shittu
Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has described Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as an ingrate over his claim that it has become impossible to speak truth to power under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Makinde had criticised the Tinubu administration over the weekend, saying the current political environment makes it difficult for leaders to openly express dissenting views.
He made the remarks during the 60th birthday celebration of the Oyo State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Samson Anetomobi.
In his address, the governor contrasted what he described as the present situation with a more consultative style of governance under the late President Muhammadu Buhari, particularly faulting the Tinubu administration’s handling of the tax reform bills.
“You cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation,” Makinde said.
Reacting during an interview on Arise News on Monday, Shittu called the governor an “ingrate”, alleging that Makinde secured his second-term ticket largely through the support of President Tinubu.
“I’m sorry I have to say this, but it is the truth. So if he says he is talking truth, he is not the only one. Even APC elements offer contrary opinions to issues, of course, we have been doing that. We have a National Assembly which is very boisterous, which is made up of statesmen who have all the courage to tell us the truth, either in line with the President or offering different perspectives.
“For instance, when the new tax laws first came, of course there were oppositions, even from Zulu, an ardent supporter of Mr President. You don’t oppose a policy for the sake of opposing. If you have a superior argument, you give it, and then it will be considered,” Shittu said.
When asked how Makinde could rebuild trust and address the controversies, Shittu said the governor struggles to sustain relationships.
“Unfortunately for Makinde, he is one person who cannot sustain friendship from morning till night. I have been his friend over the years. In fact, there were certain suggestions I had made to him that he took some of them.
“I was the one who suggested to him, for instance, to open the space from Iseyin to Ogbomoso, from Iseyin to Eruwa. And he agreed with one aspect of it; the Iseyin–Ogbomoso road which he constructed. The other one he has not constructed. He needs to know that Nigeria is nobody’s property. Oyo State is nobody’s property,” he said.
Shittu also dismissed Makinde’s claim that governors were not informed about the new tax laws.
“Must the governors be privy to every law that the Federal Government makes? Is that a constitutional requirement? Who is privy to laws that he makes in his state?” he asked.
He further criticised Makinde over the N63bn allocated for the renovation of the Oyo State Government House.
“I still disagree with him. When you talk of foreign exchange volatility, what we do know is that of late, in fact, there has been stability in foreign exchange situation of the country. Thanks to the economic policies of Mr President,” Shittu said.
He advised Makinde to focus on improving the welfare of residents rather than renovating the Government House, describing the expenditure as unnecessary.
“It was not necessary for him to live there. So what is the urgency? Who is he bringing in to replace him that requires that type of stupendous expenditure?” he queried.
Shittu said several communities in Ibadan lack basic infrastructure such as schools and roads.
“There are so many communities in Ibadan which do not have schools. I know of a road in Onara which is being maintained by an individual. In several communities, there are no roads. Should that not be more important than the pressure of a governor?
“So I still believe that it is a suspicious expenditure, which is more likely aimed at ‘sleazing’ the people of Oyo State,” he said.
On the APC’s position, Shittu said the party would continue to oppose Makinde’s renovation plans.
“Our business is to cry out loud and make the public know that we are opposing him. It is for EFCC to come in. I know that sooner or later, the EFCC will have a lot of work to do in Oyo State. And the people of Oyo will react very soon,” he said.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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