Ex-Buhari Minister Brands Makinde ‘Ingrate’ Over Tinubu Criticism

Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu under late president Muhammadu Buhari, has branded Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, 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 to the comment 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 his opinion on how Makinde can debunk these controversies and rebuild trust, Shittu said, “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,” Shittu said.

He noted that Makinde’s claim that governors were not informed of the new tax laws is wrong.

According to him, it is not a constitutional requirement for the federal government to keep governors aware of new policies.

”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 (Makinde) makes in his state?”, he said.

Additionally, he faulted Makinde’s recent budget of N63bn meant for the renovation of the Government House in Oyo State.

Speaking, he openly disagreed with Makinde, who claimed that the high cost of the renovation is as a result of foreign exchange volatility in the country.

“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,” he said.

He advised Makinde to focus more on improving the lives of the people in Oyo State, which he said is more important, rather than renovating the Government House.

He said the Governor’s move is “stupendous”, alleging that the Governor has not lived in the Government House for the past six years.

“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.

“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 stated.

Speaking on the APC’s stance on the issue, Shittu stated that the APC will continue to publicly oppose Governor Makinde and his 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.