Makinde Denies N50bn FG Funding for Ibadan Airport

Oyo State Governor and Allied People’s Movement presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has denied claims that the Federal Government provided N50bn to the state for the upgrade of the Ibadan International Airport.

Makinde made the clarification while speaking at the Makinde/Daura 2027 presidential town hall meeting in Katsina on Tuesday, following comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on the airport project.

Wike had claimed during a television programme that the Bola Tinubu administration provided N50bn to the Oyo State Government to support the airport’s upgrade.

Makinde rejected the claim, saying the project was being funded entirely by the Oyo State Government. He said the Federal Government’s approval for the airport reconstruction was granted on the basis that the project would be carried out at no cost to the Federal Government.

The governor’s media aide, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, also disputed Wike’s claim, saying there was no Federal Executive Council decision, presidential approval or official communication showing that N50bn had been released to Oyo State for the project.

Olanrewaju said the records available to both the Presidency and the Oyo State Government showed that the airport upgrade was approved without financial liability to the Federal Government.

He added that the state government had financed various components of the project, including the expansion and strengthening of the runway, improvements to airfield lighting and navigation systems, apron upgrades, aviation safety facilities and the dualisation of the Airport Road.

According to him, work is also ongoing on a new international terminal intended to increase the airport’s capacity to handle passengers and cargo.

The dispute over the funding comes amid political differences between Makinde and members of the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 elections.

Makinde backs mining devolution

Makinde also called for greater control of mining activities by state governments, proposing that mining responsibilities be moved from the Exclusive Legislative List to the states while the Federal Government retains an oversight role.

The governor said greater state involvement could allow states to manage their mineral resources more effectively.

Speaking about his political agenda, Makinde said his proposed administration would seek changes in the economy, education and security sectors.

He said Nigeria needed an economy capable of operating continuously and called for greater attention to skills development, industrial production and the reduction of the number of children out of school.

The governor also cited insecurity and poverty among the issues he said required urgent attention, arguing that citizens should not be left without adequate protection and economic opportunities.

Makinde questions presidential power transfer

Makinde further raised concerns over the constitutional process for transferring presidential authority when the President is away from the country.

He referred to Section 145 of the Constitution, which provides for the President to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.

The governor said he had followed the same procedure as Oyo State governor when travelling outside the country for extended periods and pledged to transmit authority to his deputy whenever necessary if elected president.

He said his campaign would focus on policy issues and called on Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APM presidential candidate said his proposed programme, which he described as a “Reset Agenda”, would focus on improving governance and addressing economic, educational and security challenges.

His running mate, Lawal Daura, said the Katsina meeting was intended to build support for the party’s campaign and discuss issues affecting the North-West and Nigeria generally.

APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle also said the party would prioritise security and measures aimed at improving governance if elected.

The Katsina meeting forms part of the APM campaign organisation’s planned consultations across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections. The organisers said similar town hall meetings would be held in other parts of the country.