Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has described Nigeria’s economy under President Bola Tinubu as a “voodoo economy”, arguing that the former N18,000 minimum wage could purchase more goods than the current N70,000.

Makinde spoke on Friday while addressing civil servants at the Oyo State Government House in Agodi, Ibadan, following his return from annual leave.

He said although federal allocations to states had increased, the rise had not translated into corresponding improvements in workers’ purchasing power.

“It’s been a very challenging period, economically. Yes, FAAC has gone up. But when I came in as governor, the first salary bill I signed was N4.5 billion,” he said.

“Today, the salary bill is N18 billion. The minimum wage as of the time I came was N18,000. Today, it is N80,000. But the N18,000 of that time can even buy more than what the current N70,000 can do today.

“That is the kind of voodoo economy that they have handed over to Nigeria.”

The governor said the economic situation had made it necessary for his administration to extend its wage award to workers for another three months, while transport subsidies would also continue.

Makinde also criticised President Tinubu over the issue of formally transferring power to Vice-President Kashim Shettima when the President is outside the country.

He said he handed over to his deputy, Bayo Lawal, during his own month-long vacation, arguing that the same constitutional principle should apply at the federal level.

“I went on vacation, but I handed over to my deputy governor. I am running to be the president of Nigeria because I have the capacity,” Makinde said.

“They’re trampling on the constitution of Nigeria. If the president is out of the country, why is he scared of handing over power to the vice-president?

“I went away for one month, but my team was able to carry the responsibility of running the state. So, tell him (Tinubu) to follow the constitution of Nigeria.”

Makinde added: “He swore at the Eagle Square to abide by the constitution. If the president is not around, hand over the government to the vice-president. That is the constitution.”