IBADAN — Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has delivered a scathing assessment of the President Bola Tinubu administration, openly declaring that the quality of federal governance has sharply declined since the departure of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Speaking on Saturday, January 24, 2026, during the 60th birthday celebration of Rev. Samson Ajetomobi in Ibadan, Makinde addressed Osinbajo directly, asserting that the current federal government has abandoned the inclusive and respectful engagement that previously defined the National Economic Council.
Governor Makinde utilized the high-profile gathering to contrast the current administration’s “rigid” style with a pivotal 2020 encounter during the COVID-19 pandemic. He recalled how Osinbajo, as then-Chairman of NEC, demonstrated rare political tolerance by respecting Oyo State’s decision to avoid a total lockdown, despite immense pressure from other governors and federal officials. Turning to the former Vice President, Makinde stated that many Nigerians may not realize why things are no longer the same, emphasizing that he personally misses Osinbajo’s leadership because it allowed for dissent and respected state autonomy—qualities he claimed are conspicuously absent in the current dispensation.
The Governor specifically pointed to the controversial 2026 federal tax reform bills as a primary example of what he termed “closed-door” governance. He alleged that the Presidency has effectively silenced the 36 state governors, ignoring their collective request to withdraw the legislation for further stakeholder engagement. Makinde lamented that in the current political climate, it has become impossible to speak truth to power, further alleging that the legislative process has become so opaque that state leaders are frequently kept in the dark regarding the final versions of laws passed by the National Assembly. He reaffirmed his staunch opposition to the new tax reforms, arguing they impose unbearable burdens on a population already devastated by hyperinflation.
While honoring Rev. Ajetomobi, Makinde stressed that true leadership must be defined by societal impact rather than the “political accumulation or consumption” he suggests characterizes the present era. He praised Osinbajo for consistently prioritizing national interest over the partisan divide that exists between the APC and PDP. This public endorsement comes as Makinde positions himself as a leading voice of the opposition ahead of the 2027 election cycle. As of Sunday, January 25, 2026, the Presidency has not issued a response to the Governor’s remarks regarding the perceived erosion of federal-state relations since the 2023 transition.
