Makinde Says “I Voted, I Nominated, and He Still Picked My Opponent”: Welcome to the Wedding Where You Paid for the Aso-ebi and Were Seated Outside

Gather round, because this one has everything: love, betrayal, and a ministerial list that apparently came with a “no refunds” policy.

On Sunday, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde went on Fresh FM in Ibadan and told the whole of Nigeria how he helped Bola Tinubu win in 2023, sent in a name for a ministerial slot, and watched the president pick someone else. Not just someone else, o. Adebayo Adelabu, the man Makinde beat in 2019, and again in 2023.

Let me say that again slowly, so it can settle. You contribute to the party, wear the aso-ebi, dance at the reception, and when the rice is shared, the person you defeated twice is at the VIP table.

According to Premium Times, Makinde said he nominated Bimbo Adekanmbi, a former Oyo finance commissioner, for the budget and economic planning job. Tinubu wanted a developmental economist, Makinde says, and later settled on Adelabu instead. Then comes the part I like best. Makinde claims Tinubu asked him to present Adelabu as his own pick. Makinde reportedly said no, and that if Bayo was the president’s choice, the people should know it was the president’s choice.

My dear, that is the political version of “I’m not the one who gave you my number, so don’t say I did.”

And then, the regret. He said, “I regret that action. Yes, I do.” Brother Seyi, you didn’t buy shares in a failed fintech. You backed a president. At least with crypto you can blame the market.

Now, to be fair, we have only heard one side. Nobody from the Presidency or from Adelabu is quoted in the reports I read. Maybe Tinubu will say, “Makinde, I never promised you the moon, I promised you a hearing.” We wait.

Here is where the plot thickens like cold pounded yam. Makinde is now running for president himself, against the same Tinubu. His term ends in May 2027, and Adekanmbi, the man who didn’t get the ministry, is now the APM’s governorship candidate in Oyo. So the nominee who was rejected for the cabinet is being offered the whole state. That is not a consolation prize, that is a promotion with extra steps.

Also, notice who else is in this story: Wike. Makinde says out of the G5, only Wike got something. So the group chat was five people, and one person left with the chicken.

Lesson for all of us: in Nigerian politics, always get the agreement in writing. Makinde says they did, in fact, sign a document on national unity. Which means somewhere there is a paper that has never been so lonely.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk. Please pass the zobo.