Makinde Questions Power Minister’s Competence in Candid Ibadan Media Chat

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has broken his silence on the inner workings of his relationship with the Presidency, delivering a stinging critique of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu. Speaking during an interactive media session with selected journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Governor did not mince words, asserting that the current leadership at the power ministry lacks the fundamental capacity to address Nigeria’s energy crisis.

The Governor’s remarks provided a rare, unvarnished look into the private consultations that preceded the formation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet. According to Makinde, he had personally expressed reservations to the President regarding Adelabu’s appointment long before the ministerial list was made public. He argued that the complexities of the power sector require a level of technical and administrative depth that he believes the Minister does not possess.

During the session, Makinde recounted a specific conversation he had with President Tinubu, where he cautioned against making critical federal appointments based purely on regional political calculations. He suggested that if the primary motivation for Adelabu’s selection was to strengthen the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, it was a strategic miscalculation that would ultimately cost the nation in terms of service delivery.

The Governor revealed that the President had initially countered his concerns with a humorous but pointed proposition. Makinde claimed that Tinubu jokingly suggested the Governor himself should take charge of organizing the APC in Oyo State. The Governor, however, maintained his partisan boundaries, reminding the President that as a stalwart of the People’s Democratic Party, he could not be expected to build the structure of an opposition party.

This public disclosure sheds new light on the simmering tensions between the Agodi Government House and the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Observers have noted that the friction between Makinde and Tinubu appears to have deepened following the President’s decision to bypass the Governor’s own ministerial recommendations. While Makinde was seen as a key ally to the President during the 2023 elections under the “G-5” umbrella, that alliance appears to be under significant strain.

The Governor’s critique of the Power Minister comes at a time when the national grid remains a subject of intense public scrutiny. Makinde’s stance suggests that the “Renewed Hope” agenda in the electricity sector is being hampered by what he views as a mismatch of personnel and responsibility. He emphasized that the stakes are too high for the country to prioritize political patronage over technical expertise in such a vital industry.

Political analysts in Ibadan suggest that Makinde’s boldness is a signal of his intent to reclaim his space as a major voice in national politics, independent of the Presidential shadow. By questioning the capacity of a fellow Oyo indigene serving at the federal level, the Governor is also positioning himself as a leader who prioritizes performance and governance over ethnic or state-based sentiment.

The fallout from these comments is expected to reverberate through the political landscape of the Southwest. For supporters of the Power Minister, Makinde’s words will likely be seen as a partisan attack intended to diminish a political rival. However, for those frustrated by the slow pace of power sector reforms, the Governor’s remarks will echo a broader sentiment regarding the need for urgent results and professional leadership.

Makinde’s media chat served as a reminder that the post-election “honeymoon” period between certain PDP governors and the APC-led federal government has largely evaporated. As the 2027 political cycle begins to loom on the horizon, the Governor appears ready to distance himself from federal policy failures, particularly in sectors like power that directly affect the daily lives of his constituents.

The Governor concluded the session by reiterating his commitment to the development of Oyo State, regardless of the political dynamics in Abuja. He maintained that his primary duty is to tell the truth to power, even when that power resides in the highest office in the land. The ball now rests in the court of the Presidency and the Ministry of Power to respond to these allegations of incapacity with tangible improvements in the nation’s electricity supply.