Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed how he told President Bola Tinubu that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, lacks the capacity to organise the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Makinde, who is in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the revelation on Tuesday during a media chat with journalists.
The governor recounted that the conversation took place during his private meeting with the President over the approval of the Ibadan Airport upgrade project.
According to Governor Makinde, President Tinubu had raised political conversation during the meeting when he said, “What is happening politically? I heard you are upset that your nominee was not given the ministerial slot.”
Makinde said he responded by making it clear that he was not aggrieved over the ministerial appointments, stressing that the President has the sole prerogative to choose members of his cabinet.
“I said, sir, in Yoruba land, if you don’t want a pregnancy to be aborted, you won’t want the baby to die, because it is easier to abort a pregnancy than to kill a baby,” the governor said.
He explained further that while political leaders may make recommendations, the final decision rests with the President.
“You will decide who you want to work with. We can only suggest people, but if you know people that fit your belief about the kind of people you want in your cabinet, we are just to support you,” Makinde stated.
However, the Oyo governor said he was direct with President Tinubu regarding the perceived political role of the power minister in the state.
“However, if you have selected the Minister of Power (Bayo Adelabu) because you want him to help you organise the APC in Oyo State, he doesn’t have the capacity. I told the President,” Makinde said.
He added that the President’s response surprised him, as Tinubu reportedly told him that he wanted Makinde himself to help organise the APC structure in Oyo State.
The governor said he firmly declined the suggestion, citing his allegiance to the PDP.
“He said, Seyi, it is you that I want to help me organise the APC in Oyo State. I said no, sir, I can never help you organise the APC in Oyo State because I am of the PDP,” he said.
