Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying it has become increasingly difficult to speak truth to power under the current government. The governor made the remarks on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at a public event in Ibadan, Oyo State, where he was a guest of honour.

Speaking at the 60th birthday celebration of Samson Ajetomobi, President of The Men of Issachar Vision Incorporated and overseer of Redemption Faith Churches, Makinde contrasted the current political climate with what he described as a more consultative approach during the tenure of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo under the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

“You cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation,” Makinde said, asserting that open disagreement with government policy is no longer tolerated.

He cited the controversy surrounding the handling of proposed tax legislation as an example, saying that calls to reconsider and review the bill were rejected by the federal authorities.

Makinde lamented that the lack of openness in national governance contrasts sharply with previous periods when governors and other stakeholders could engage more freely on policy matters.

“The tax bill … we said, ‘Look, bring the tax bill; bring it back; let us all have an opportunity to look dispassionately at it.’ But you cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation,” he said.

The governor also used the occasion to express his admiration for Osinbajo’s leadership style, recounting how the former vice president’s role as chairman of the National Economic Council influenced his own decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Makinde said that Osinbajo’s guidance helped shape Oyo State’s approach to the crisis, including his decision not to impose a full lockdown early in the outbreak.

Makinde’s comments reflect broader debates about political openness and governance in Nigeria, particularly as criticisms of federal policy and legislative processes continue to be aired by politicians across party lines.

Observers note that his remarks, made in the presence of dignitaries and political figures, could signal deeper concerns about the current administration’s engagement with dissenting views amid preparations for the 2027 general elections.