Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde says President Bola Tinubu chose Adebayo (Bayo) Adelabu as Minister of Power instead of Makinde’s nominee, Bimbo Adekanmbi. Makinde says Tinubu told him to “take ownership” publicly of Adelabu’s appointment, presenting it as Makinde’s preferred choice. Makinde says he refused, arguing the decision was Tinubu’s and that it should be presented as such.
Makinde also describes the process leading up to the final selections. He says Tinubu initially asked him to recommend someone for the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, describing the request as to propose a development economist. According to Makinde, he nominated Adekanmbi because of his role in stabilising finances in Oyo State under the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi. He says Tinubu later informed him that Adelabu would be appointed, noting Makinde had contested against Adelabu in the 2019 gubernatorial election.
Across the outlets, the main details differ mostly in emphasis: some frame the story around the competition between Adekanmbi and Adelabu, while others add context about the G5 alliance of five PDP governors that supported Tinubu’s 2023 presidential bid and Makinde’s claim that Nyesom Wike became the key beneficiary of that arrangement. All accounts attribute the dispute to Makinde’s account of how ministerial choices were made and presented.
