Governor Seyi Makinde has revealed that he once told President Bola Tinubu that he could not help him organise the faltering and disjointed All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State because of his allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Makinde disclosed that President Tinubu had hoped that the Minister of Power could the job organising the Oyo APC but he made it clear to him that the minister lacked the capacity to political challenges affect the party in the state.
The Governor disclosed this during a media chat on Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where he recounted his interactions with the president following the formation of the federal cabinet and discussions about upgrading the Ibadan Airport.
Makinde noted that President Tinubu had earlier requested that Oyo State nominate a candidate for ministerial appointment, with a specific preference for a professional background.
“When the president said we should nominate a person who will be a minister, I said, ‘Sir, what do you have for us?’” Makinde said.
“He said he wants a developmental economist who can be a minister of budget and economic planning.”
He explained that he complied with the request by recommending a qualified candidate from Oyo State. However, he said the outcome differed from what was initially discussed.
“I sent someone who is from Oyo State, and somebody else was chosen. He was not taken to the budget and economic planning; he was made minister of power,” the governor said.
He further revealed that the issue later resurfaced during his visit to seek presidential approval for the upgrade of the Ibadan airport to international standards, when the president raised concerns about Makinde’s reaction to the ministerial selection.
“Later, when I went to seek approval for the upgrade of Ibadan airport, he said he heard I was angry that my ministerial nominee was not chosen,” Makinde narrated.
The governor stated that he made it clear to the president that he bore no resentment over the cabinet decision, emphasising that the prerogative of appointing ministers rests solely with the president.
“I told him you can choose who you want for a member of your cabinet; we can only support you,” Makinde stated.
Makinde, however, said the conversation took a political turn when discussions shifted to party organisation in Oyo State.
According to him, he told the president that the Minister of Power could not be relied upon to strengthen the APC structure in the state.
“I told him that if you want the Minister of Power to help you organise APC in Oyo State, then he cannot, because he does not have the capacity,” Makinde said.
He added that President Tinubu then made a direct request to him instead.
“He said no, it’s me that he wants to help him organise APC in Oyo State,” the governor revealed.
Makinde stated that he immediately declined the request, citing party loyalty and his political principles. “I told him no, ‘I cannot help you because I am of the PDP,” he said.
