Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Alliance for Progressives Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has dismissed reports that he received N50 billion from the President for the expansion of the Ibadan International Airport. According to Makinde, the Oyo State Government did not receive any N50 billion from the Federal Government, and the expansion of the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, was fully funded by the state government.
The clarification was made by Makinde while addressing supporters at the Makinde-Daura 2027 Presidential Town Hall meeting in Katsina. The town hall meeting was organised to engage residents of the North-West on the party's proposed political and policy direction ahead of the 2027 general elections. Makinde's statement was in response to a claim made by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, that President Bola Tinubu had "settled" Oyo State with N50 billion for the reconstruction of the airport.
Makinde emphasized that the claim was false and that the President did not give him or Oyo State N50 billion to upgrade the Ibadan Airport. He stated that the Ibadan Airport upgrade project is being undertaken 100 per cent with the funds of Oyo State. A statement by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, also confirmed that the Federal Government's approval for the airport project was granted on the condition that it would be undertaken at no cost to the Federal Government.
According to Olanrewaju, the state government had fully financed the airport's transformation in line with the Federal Government's approval. He urged public officials to exercise restraint and responsibility when making public statements, particularly on matters concerning public expenditure and development projects. The Oyo State governor's clarification was necessary to set the record straight and avoid misinformation.
Meanwhile, Makinde has proposed devolving mining powers to states as part of his agenda to reset Nigeria's economic and political structures if elected president in 2027. He believes that the mining sector, currently under federal control, requires a different governance structure to address illegal mining and improve the contribution of mineral resources to the national economy.
Makinde's proposed "Reset Agenda" would also cover the economy, education, security, and the wider socio-political system. He emphasized that Nigeria could not rely solely on its natural resources to develop the economy, stressing the need for skills, knowledge, and increased production. The Oyo State governor aims to create an economy capable of operating round the clock to compete with economies that maintain continuous production.
The APM National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, said the town hall meeting was organised to engage residents of the North-West on the party's proposed political and policy direction ahead of the 2027 general elections. Makinde's proposals and clarifications demonstrate his commitment to transparency and his vision for Nigeria's future.
Key points
- Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, denies receiving N50 billion from the President for the Ibadan Airport upgrade.
- Makinde proposes devolving mining powers to states as part of his agenda to reset Nigeria's economic and political structures.
- The Ibadan Airport upgrade project was fully funded by the Oyo State government.
