I nominated Adekanmbi for ministerial position, Tinubu picked Adelabu — Makinde

By Adejayan Gbenga

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said he nominated former state Commissioner for Finance Bimbo Adekanmbi for a ministerial appointment, but President Bola Tinubu chose Adebayo Adelabu instead.

Makinde made the disclosure on Sunday during an interview on Crossfire Exclusive with Mayor Isaac Brown on Fresh FM, Ibadan, while reflecting on his political relationship with Tinubu and the alliance involving the G5 governors ahead of the 2023 general election.

The governor said he recommended Adekanmbi because of his professional background and capacity to handle public responsibilities, adding that he believed the former commissioner would perform well in the position. However, Tinubu ultimately selected Adelabu, who is the immediate past minister of power.

The disclosure comes amid renewed political discussions about Makinde’s support for Adekanmbi, the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) for the 2027 election in Oyo State. Makinde has previously identified Adekanmbi as his preferred successor, citing his professional experience, intellectual capacity and involvement in exploring funding options for the proposed upgrade of Ibadan Airport.

During the interview, Makinde also revisited the G5 alliance, comprising five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors who opposed the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2023 election. The group’s disagreement with the PDP leadership over its presidential ticket and calls for greater internal balance contributed to divisions within the opposition party.

Makinde suggested that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, benefited significantly from the political arrangement, while other members of the group did not enjoy comparable advantages in the distribution of ministerial appointments. The G5 alliance had played a prominent role in the political realignments that preceded the 2023 presidential election.

Adekanmbi, who served as commissioner for finance under the late former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, is seeking to succeed Makinde on the APM platform.

Makinde, whose tenure ends in May 2027, has said he does not intend to impose himself as a political godfather on his successor. He maintains that whoever emerges as governor should have the freedom to govern independently after taking office.