Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has dismissed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the governor as politically expendable and insisting that the President and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would “not miss him.”
Shittu spoke during a wide-ranging interview on Naija Unfiltered by symfoni in which he addressed fuel subsidy removal, party defections, legislative independence, religion, and the 2027 general elections.
According to the former minister, Makinde’s opposition posture poses no threat to Tinubu’s administration or political standing. He argued that disagreement with the President should not be elevated to a moral pedestal, stressing that democracy does not require automatic opposition to every policy or political development associated with the ruling party.
Shittu faulted what he described as the habit of some opposition figures presenting dissent as proof of superior democratic values. He maintained that legislators and governors are not elected to oppose everything but to assess policies on their merits, agreeing where necessary and disagreeing where appropriate.
Reacting to concerns over mass defections to the APC, Shittu rejected claims that Tinubu’s government is intimidating opposition politicians. He described the defections as a matter of political survival, saying many politicians move to protect their influence and neutralise rivals within their states rather than due to pressure from the president.
He explained that such realignments are common in Nigeria’s political history and should not be misrepresented as an erosion of pluralism.
According to him, politicians often defect to avoid isolation and strengthen their electoral chances, not because they are forced.
On the economy, Shittu strongly defended the removal of fuel subsidy, insisting that the decision was inevitable regardless of who won the 2023 presidential election. He dismissed arguments that the policy should have been delayed until palliatives were in place, describing such claims as politically convenient narratives.
He argued that any serious and responsible leader would have taken the same decision, warning that postponing subsidy removal would only worsen Nigeria’s economic challenges. According to him, leadership requires the courage to make difficult choices, even when they are unpopular.
Shittu also responded to allegations that President Tinubu exerts undue influence over the National Assembly and other arms of government. Drawing from his experience as a former lawmaker and senior lawyer, he said cooperation between the executive and legislature should not automatically be interpreted as compromise or loss of independence.
He cautioned against making accusations without evidence, noting that lawmakers are capable of independent judgment and are not obliged to oppose the President on every issue if they believe proposed policies are in the national interest.
In one of his most controversial remarks, Shittu argued that Nigeria’s governance problems cannot be blamed solely on politicians. He said societal values play a major role, claiming that many voters prioritise immediate personal benefits over long-term policy outcomes, thereby encouraging transactional politics.
He also defended the constitutional basis of Sharia law, rejecting claims that it threatens Christians or undermines Nigeria’s secular nature. According to him, Sharia applies only where it is demanded and does not override constitutional provisions. He added that insecurity in northern Nigeria is largely linked to decades of educational neglect rather than religious law.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Shittu expressed confidence that President Tinubu would secure a second term, insisting that ongoing political realignments favour the APC. He dismissed opposition strategies as weak and unconvincing.
On his own political ambition, the former minister reiterated his interest in governing Oyo State, promising free education, youth employment, and agricultural reforms if elected, even though he claims to be the poorest among the 10 candidates
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