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Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed concern over what he described as shrinking space for open dissent under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying it has become increasingly difficult to speak truth to power.

Makinde made the remarks on Saturday in Ibadan at a public event attended by several dignitaries, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Reflecting on recent national developments, the governor pointed to the handling of a proposed tax bill as an example of what he considers a troubling trend.

“You cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation. 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 said.

The governor also used the occasion to praise Osinbajo’s tenure as chairman of the National Economic Council, noting that the former vice president’s leadership played a key role in one of his earliest decisions in office during the outbreak of COVID 19.

“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,” Makinde said.

The governor’s comments drew attention to contrasts between the current administration and previous leadership, particularly in decision making and consultation at the national level.

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