Makinde denies Wike’s N50bn claim on Ibadan airport upgrade

By Adejayan Gbenga

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Seyi Makinde, has denied claims that the Federal Government gave the state N50 billion to upgrade the Ibadan International Airport.

Makinde made the denial while addressing supporters at the Makinde/Daura 2027 Presidential Town Hall meeting in Katsina on Tuesday.

The governor was reacting to a statement by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout on Monday.

Wike had claimed that the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government supported Oyo State with N50 billion for the airport upgrade project.

However, Makinde described the claim as false, insisting that neither he nor the Oyo State Government received the money from the Federal Government for the project.

The governor said, “The president did not give me or Oyo State N50 billion to upgrade the Ibadan Airport. The Ibadan Airport upgrade project is being undertaken 100 per cent with the funds of Oyo State.”

Makinde added that he became aware of Wike’s interview before addressing supporters at the town hall meeting and considered it necessary to clarify the source of funding for the airport project.

The Ladoke Akintola International Airport in Ibadan is currently undergoing an upgrade aimed at improving its facilities and international operations. The conflicting claims over the project’s funding have sparked public discussion amid preparations for the 2027 general elections.