Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has described the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu as an “administration of deceit”, while insisting that his commitment to public service would not prevent him from recovering any financial losses he might have incurred.
Makinde made the remarks during a media chat on Fresh FM, where he spoke about national development, his political journey and his personal experience in business before entering government.
The governor said he was prepared to make any sacrifice necessary for Nigeria to move forward, adding that the support of the people of Oyo State remained important to his political future.
He maintained that whatever he might have lost financially through serving the state could be recovered within a year.
Makinde said he had been a private individual for 51 years before entering government and recalled that he began his own company at 29, adding that he had paid salaries since then.
He also said he had invested in education early in his career and owned a three-bedroom apartment purchased for ₦2 million while contesting for the Senate.
Reflecting on his political journey, Makinde said he contested for the Senate in 2007 and 2011 before running unsuccessfully for governor in 2015. He said he spent more money on the 2015 campaign than on the 2019 election, which he won.
The governor also disclosed that he had recommended Bimbo Adekanmbi for a ministerial appointment, but Tinubu selected Adebayo Adelabu instead. He said he believed Adekanmbi would perform well and praised his professional experience.
Makinde further said Adekanmbi had helped him develop ways to address the challenge of upgrading Ibadan Airport after the Federal Government declined to provide funding, despite the project receiving approval at no cost to the federal government.
On development projects in Oyo State, Makinde acknowledged that he might leave Agbowo Shopping Complex unfinished because completing it would require ₦21 billion. He said his administration was preparing a roadmap for projects that would continue beyond 2027.
He also claimed that more than 21,000 teachers had been employed in Oyo State during his seven years in office, with almost all the appointments made without godfatherism.

