The 2027 presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of lying about the alleged N50bn funding from the Federal Government for the upgrade of the Ibadan International Airport.
Wike, while appearing on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout programme on Monday, had claimed that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration supported the Oyo State Government with N50bn for the airport project.
The disagreement over the airport funding comes amid an increasingly strained political relationship between Makinde and the Tinubu administration, with the governor and members of the Federal Government backing opposing political interests ahead of the 2027 elections.
Makinde, while addressing supporters at the Makinde/Daura 2027 presidential town hall meeting in Katsina on Tuesday, said the Oyo State Government did not receive any N50bn from the Federal Government for the expansion of the airport.
He asserted that the project was being fully funded 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.”
Reiterating the governor’s position, his media aide, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in a statement, described Wike’s claim on the airport project as false, reckless and misleading.
Olanrewaju said there was no such N50bn approval on the project from the Federal Government to the state government, adding that the state rejected misinformation on the premise of scoring cheap political points.
Olanrewaju 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 maintained that every component of the upgrade has so far been executed and funded solely by Oyo State.
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.”
He slammed Wike, adding that the minister should have sought the factual information rather than dishing out “fabrication and lies.”
“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.
Makinde backs mining devolution
Meanwhile, Makinde has called for the devolution of mining responsibilities to state governments, arguing that states would perform better if given greater control over the sector.
Speaking in Katsina, Makinde proposed that the responsibility be transferred to the states, with the Federal Government retaining oversight.
Speaking in Katsina, Makinde said, “Right now, the issue of mining is on the Exclusive Legislative List in our Constitution. Devolve that responsibility to the states and let there be oversight only at the federal level. They will do better.”
APM presidential candidate and Oyo State Governor said his administration seeks to reset Nigeria’s socio-political system in areas including the economy, education and security.
Makinde stated, “We are determined to reset the economy. People will argue that Nigeria is rich in natural resources. But natural resources are not enough. You must have skills and knowledge, and you must also have intensive production.
“Our economy must work 24/7. If our economy shuts down at 7 or 8 o’clock in the evening, we cannot compete with economies that are running 24/7.
“We want to reset our education. We want to examine the data that we are being given. We want to know how many out-of-school children we have and how we get them back into school.
“We also want to reset the security architecture in Nigeria. A few days ago, we all woke up to learn about the 37 young souls who were lost in Niger State. Is it their fault that they were born in Nigeria? Is it their fault that they were looking for means of surviving? No, sir. The answer is no.”
Power transmission
Makinde also said his 2027 campaign would be issue-based, expressing concern over President Tinubu’s decision to proceed on working leave without, according to him, transmitting power.
The governor said he had always complied with the constitutional requirement as Oyo State governor by transmitting power to his deputy whenever he travelled out of the country on vacation for more than 21 days.
He questioned why a similar arrangement was not being applied at the federal level.
Makinde stated, “Section 145 of the Constitution 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.
“If the President is unable, whether through sickness, a medical trip or incapacitation, to function, we are all human. Anything can happen to anybody at any time. If that happens, the President should also transmit power to the Vice President.
“I promise you that, as your President, I will follow the Constitution to the letter. If I am not going to be available, if I am on vacation, I will transmit power to the Vice President. Record this and hold me accountable.
“So, on this basis, I want to implore you to know that what we have ahead of us is a daunting and challenging task. But if we do what we are supposed to do, with support, we can achieve it.
“And for the election, I maintain and repeat it: it won’t be APC versus APM, or APM versus ADC, or ADC versus NDC. It will be APC versus Nigerians.”
Makinde urged Nigerians to obtain their PVCs and support his proposed “Reset Agenda” to build a country that works for all citizens, irrespective of tribe, religion or region.
“So, on this note, expect me back. This is a town hall for the Northwest. I am still coming back here in Katsina, to Kaduna, to Kano, to Kebbi, to Zamfara, and to Jigawa to campaign on a state-by-state basis,” he added.
In his remarks, APM vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, said the gathering was to demonstrate support for the party’s presidential candidate and express Nigerians’ desire for change ahead of the 2027 general election.
Daura stated, “The North-West, and indeed Nigeria at large, is yearning for resetting Nigeria. Here in the North-West, some of our most prominent and pressing problems include, first and foremost, insecurity, and, of course, the twin brother of insecurity, which is poverty.
“Sometimes, when we try to discuss these issues, we go back and forth. But the alternative we have been looking for has been provided by His Excellency, Governor Makinde.
“One of the main points I have made is that this country needs a reset. Fortunately, that is also the mindset of our presidential candidate, and I was easily persuaded by that position and mindset. So, I want to say that, together with the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Makinde, we are ready to reset Nigeria.
“Resetting Nigeria is very important, and we are going to provide details as we proceed with our campaigns. But before that happens, I would like each and every one of us to bear in mind that we must do all we can, within the law, to exercise our civic rights, vote for change and make His Excellency, Governor Makinde, our President come 2027.”
APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, said the party’s administration under its presidential candidate, Makinde, would prioritise restoring security and normalcy in the country.
Dantalle also said the proposed administration would introduce measures aimed at encouraging citizens to make rational decisions and recognise leaders as representatives of the people.
He urged Nigerians not to doubt the sincerity of the party’s political journey, describing its commitment to the 2027 election as genuine, honest and focused on delivering the desired change.
The Katsina town hall is part of the Makinde/Daura campaign organisation’s planned nationwide consultations ahead of the 2027 election, with the campaign saying the engagements are intended to focus on national stability, citizens’ welfare and other policy issues.
The campaign organisation had announced that the Katsina engagement would kick-start its zonal town hall meetings across the six geopolitical zones, with subsequent meetings scheduled for Uyo, Lafia and Enugu.
Source: punchng.com
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