Makinde Reveals What Tinubu Told Him After Rejecting His Ministerial Nominee

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has revealed that President Bola Tinubu asked him to publicly take ownership of the appointment of Adebayo Adelabu after opting for the former minister over his preferred nominee for a key economic portfolio.

Makinde made the disclosure during a media chat on Fresh FM in Ibadan, where he recounted how Tinubu had initially approached him for a recommendation of a development economist to oversee budget and economic planning.

The governor said he recommended Bimbo Adekanmbi, a former Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, citing his role in stabilising the administration of former governor Abiola Ajimobi.

According to Makinde, Tinubu eventually decided to appoint Adebayo Adelabu, who had contested against him in the 2019 Oyo State governorship election.

Makinde said he acknowledged Adelabu’s qualifications but insisted that the decision to appoint him should be publicly attributed to the President rather than presented as his recommendation.

“I said, ‘Okay, I know Bayo.’ I contested against Bayo in 2019. He is a first-class material,” Makinde recalled.

He said Tinubu subsequently suggested that he should take ownership of the appointment and present Adelabu as his choice.

“And then the president eventually said, ‘Well, since I’ve taken this decision to appoint Bayo, you should go and take ownership of him, like go out and say it was your choice.’”

Makinde said he rejected the suggestion, maintaining that he had already fulfilled his responsibility by recommending someone he believed could contribute to the administration.

“So I said, ‘No, sir. Bayo is your choice, and let it be known to the people that it is your choice,’” the governor said.

He added that his role was to identify qualified individuals who could help the President achieve his objectives, but that the final decision on appointments rested with Tinubu.

Makinde also disclosed that he later discovered that other state governors had experienced similar situations involving recommendations for presidential appointments.

His account offers a glimpse into the discussions that can take place between the President and state governors over ministerial nominations. However, the account reflects Makinde’s version of the conversation, and no response from Tinubu was included in the information provided.