The 2027 presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has rejected claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that the Federal Government provided N50bn for the upgrade of the Ibadan International Airport.
Wike had, during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout programme on Monday, alleged that the Bola Tinubu administration gave the Oyo State Government N50bn to support the airport project.
The dispute over the funding has emerged against the backdrop of growing political differences between Makinde and the Tinubu administration, as both sides appear to be supporting different political interests ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the Makinde/Daura 2027 presidential town hall meeting in Katsina on Tuesday, Makinde maintained that the Oyo State Government received no N50bn from the Federal Government for the airport expansion.
He said the project was being financed entirely by the state government.
Makinde stated, “Let me start by saying that my attention was drawn to an interview granted yesterday by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, where he said that the President gave N50bn to Oyo State to upgrade the Ibadan Airport to international standards.
“I want to say that claim is false. The President did not give Oyo State N50 bn or me to upgrade the Ibadan Airport. The Ibadan Airport upgrade project is being undertaken 100 per cent with the funds of Oyo State.”
Backing the governor’s position, his media aide, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said in a statement that Wike’s claim regarding the airport funding was false, misleading and reckless.
Olanrewaju said the Federal Government had not approved any N50bn funding for the project, accusing the minister of spreading misinformation for political purposes.
He argued, “President Bola Tinubu’s minute on the proposal submitted to him by Governor Seyi Makinde for the reconstruction and upgrade of the Ibadan airport was ‘Approved at no cost to the Federal Government.’
“The records as stated above are with the Presidency just as they are with the Oyo State Government.
“Wike’s assertion does not originate from any Federal Executive Council decision, presidential approval, or statutory aviation infrastructure process.
“It is not an official communication of the Federal Government. It is not backed by documentation. It is not grounded in fact. It is a claim made without responsibility and without regard for the truth, and should therefore be disregarded by members of the public.”
He further maintained that the various components of the airport upgrade had been executed and financed by the Oyo State Government.
Olanrewaju added, “In line with the approval granted by the Federal Government, which clearly stated that the airport upgrade would be undertaken at no cost to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government has fully financed a comprehensive transformation of the facility.
“This includes the expansion and strengthening of the runway, upgrade of the airfield lighting and navigational systems, apron improvements, construction of supporting infrastructure such as the dualised Airport Road, enhanced aviation safety installations, and ongoing work on a modern international terminal designed to significantly boost passenger and cargo capacity.”
The media aide also criticised Wike, saying the minister ought to have verified the information before making the claim publicly.
“Wike’s statement is both untrue and unfortunate. He should have sought knowledge on the matter before going on air. Let it be stated unambiguously: The Federal Government did not give Oyo State N50bn for the Ibadan Airport upgrade. Any suggestion to the contrary is a fabrication and a lie from the pit of hell.
“Aviation infrastructure funding follows strict due-process channels involving the Federal Ministry of Aviation and other regulatory bodies. These channels are transparent, traceable, and publicly verifiable. None of them reflects the figure Mr Wike has circulated.
“The Oyo State Government will not allow misinformation, especially one of this magnitude, to be weaponised for political point-scoring or used to distort public understanding of government finances.
“The claim is not only false; it is reckless, misleading, and capable of eroding public trust if left unchallenged,” Olanrewaju said.
