Makinde gives Tinubu 34% score, supports state police

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has rated President Bola Tinubu’s government at 34 percent. He believes the administration has made some progress but has not done enough to tackle Nigeria’s major problems.

Makinde shared this view on Friday during an interview with ARISE News. He was asked to assess the President’s performance in key areas of governance.

The governor explained that his score reflects the number of Nigerians who supported Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election. “It’s just about the same percentage of the people that supported him in 2023. Thirty-four percent,” Makinde said.

He pointed out that for Tinubu to successfully carry out his plans, he needs to gain the support of those Nigerians who did not vote for him in the last election. “You need the 67 percent of Nigerians that were against him in 2023 to be on board. This is a massive number,” he said.

Support for State Police

Despite his score, Makinde praised some of the initiatives from the Tinubu administration, especially the move towards creating state police. The governor, who has long pushed for decentralized policing, commended Tinubu for moving the proposal forward. He believes states should have the chance to set up their own police systems based on their needs and readiness.

“The President has done well with the formation of the state police,” he said.

On the topic of education, Makinde recognized the Federal Government’s student loan scheme. However, he argued that financial help for students is just a small part of what is needed to improve the education system.

He stated the government must also focus on teachers' welfare and safety in schools to ensure students get quality education. “Having money for students to go to school… is a small fraction of what they’re supposed to do,” Makinde said.

“You need the teachers that are motivated. You need even security” for educational institutions, he added.

Need for Broader Education Reforms

According to him, education reforms should not only focus on funding but also ensure young Nigerians acquire the skills and knowledge to find jobs or start their own businesses. He said that while addressing some issues in the sector is a step forward, it will not solve all the challenges.

“If you have three or four pockets and one is being addressed, I would say it’s a movement in the right direction. But that alone will not solidly ensure that our children have skills and knowledge that can either make them employable or turn them into entrepreneurs,” Makinde said.

The governor’s score comes as he criticizes the Tinubu administration’s economic policies. He believes these policies have not led to enough jobs, better incomes, or improved living conditions for Nigerians.

Although he acknowledged some economic stability under the current administration, Makinde insisted that stronger and more coordinated actions are needed to tackle the country's economic, security, and educational issues. He has put forward his ‘Reset Nigeria’ agenda as an alternative to the current government’s policies.