Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde said it has become difficult to speak truth to power under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of President Bola Tinubu.
The governor stated this during a public function in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Sunday.
The event drew dignitaries from various walks of life, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Makinde compared the present administration to the immediate-past administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the former favoured a more consultative approach.
Picking holes in the incumbent administration’s handling of the tax reforms bills, he said, “You cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation.”
Makinde added, “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 credited ex-VP Osinbajo for influencing his leadership style, saying it made him decide against a full lockdown of Oyo State during the COVID-19 pandemic era.
The Oyo governor said, “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.”
The sun
