Oyo State Governor Expresses Nostalgia for Osinbajo's Tenure, Criticizes Current Administration

IBADAN – Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde publicly expressed that he misses the leadership style of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, stating that "things are not really the same" in the current federal administration.

Governor Makinde made the remarks on Saturday while speaking at the 60th birthday celebration of clergyman Samson Ajetomobi in Ibadan, an event also attended by Professor Osinbajo.

“Sir, I personally miss you in that position (as vice president),” Makinde stated directly to Osinbajo. He clarified that his comment was “not a political talk” but a personal sentiment.

Contrast in Crisis Management

To illustrate his point, Governor Makinde recalled a pivotal National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in February 2020, early in his tenure and during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He recounted that some officials had urged state governors to impose lockdowns.

“The chairman of the council (Osinbajo) came in… they said we should all go back and lock down our state,” Makinde said. He credited Osinbajo's subsequent intervention and decision-making with providing him the flexibility not to lock down Oyo State, a move he suggested was critical at the time.

Criticism of Current "Truth to Power" Dynamic

Governor Makinde then contrasted this past experience with a recent situation under President Bola Tinubu's administration, referring to the contentious national tax bill.

“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,’” Makinde explained. “But you cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation; the tax bill will go ahead.”

Makinde has been a longstanding critic of President Tinubu’s tax reform proposals. In September 2025, he declined to assent to a related bill passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly, arguing it would overburden citizens already facing economic hardship.

The governor's comments highlight ongoing tensions between some state governments and the federal administration over policy direction and the nature of inter-governmental dialogue.