Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected his preferred candidate for a ministerial appointment, Bimbo Adekanmbi, despite acknowledging the former commissioner’s role in managing the state’s finances.
According to Makinde, the President reviewed Adekanmbi’s credentials but declined to accept his nomination, instead directing the governor to take ownership of Adebayo Adelabu as the ministerial choice for Oyo State.
The governor’s account has raised questions about the relationship between political agreements, federal appointments and the influence of state governors in determining who represents their states in the Federal Executive Council.
Makinde Explains Why He Nominated Adekanmbi
Makinde said he nominated Adekanmbi because of his experience in public finance and his contributions to economic management during his tenure as Commissioner for Finance under the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Adekanmbi served as Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning in Oyo State between 2011 and 2019. His responsibilities included financial administration, budgetary management and revenue-related reforms at a time when governments faced competing demands and limited resources.
The former commissioner also had experience in banking and consulting before entering public service, which formed part of the professional background associated with his appointment.
Makinde reportedly maintained that Adekanmbi's record in managing public finances made him a suitable candidate for a ministerial position at the federal level.
However, according to the governor's account, Tinubu rejected the proposed nomination after reviewing Adekanmbi's file.
Tinubu Allegedly Insisted on Bayo Adelabu
Makinde further alleged that Tinubu told him to accept responsibility for Adelabu as the ministerial representative for Oyo State, rather than the candidate he had proposed.
Adelabu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and former governorship candidate in Oyo State, has a background in finance and public administration. His appointment as Minister of Power placed him in charge of a critical sector of the Nigerian economy, particularly amid persistent concerns over electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
The disagreement, as described by Makinde, highlights the political considerations that can accompany ministerial appointments, particularly when the interests of state governors and the President do not align.
Governor Claims Other Governors Faced Similar Treatment
Makinde also claimed that the experience was not peculiar to Oyo State, alleging that his counterparts from other states encountered similar situations.
According to his account, the President's decision represented a departure from an understanding reached before the election.
“The President reneged on the understanding of our agreement before the election,” was the substance of Makinde's allegation.
The claim suggests that the governor believes commitments made during the pre-election period were not honoured when ministerial appointments were being decided.
However, the precise terms of the alleged agreement, the circumstances surrounding Adekanmbi's proposed nomination and the President's account of the disagreement would be necessary to establish the full details of the matter.
Political Implications for Oyo State
The alleged disagreement comes against the background of longstanding political competition in Oyo State and the influence of both federal and state-level political leaders.
Adekanmbi's financial management experience has continued to feature in discussions about his political future. In 2026, he emerged as the Allied Peoples Movement's consensus governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 election, adding another dimension to his political profile.
Adelabu, meanwhile, remains a prominent political figure with an established history in Oyo State politics and federal government service.
Makinde's allegations could therefore renew discussions about the relationship between the governor and the Tinubu administration, especially regarding political cooperation, appointments and the extent to which pre-election understandings influence governance after elections.
It is important to distinguish the governor's account from independently established facts. While Adekanmbi's former role in Oyo State's finance administration and Adelabu's ministerial position are documented, the specific allegation that Tinubu rejected Adekanmbi's nomination and reneged on a prior agreement should be attributed to Makinde unless further independent confirmation becomes available.
The central issue remains whether the alleged disagreement reflects a breakdown in political understanding between the two leaders or the President's exercise of discretion over federal ministerial appointments.
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