Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has denied the claim by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu supported Oyo State with the sum of N50 billion for the upgrade of the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan. Makinde made this statement while addressing supporters at the Makinde/Daura 2027 Presidential Town Hall meeting in Katsina on Tuesday. He emphasized that the Oyo State Government did not receive any N50bn from the Federal Government.
According to Makinde, the expansion of the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, was fully funded by the state government. He described Wike's claim as false, stating that the President did not give him or Oyo State N50 billion to upgrade the Ibadan Airport. Makinde's denial comes after Wike appeared on TVC's Journalists' Hangout programme on Monday, claiming that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration supported the Oyo State Government with a whopping N50bn for the airport project.
During the town hall meeting, Makinde also spoke on the prevailing situation of President Tinubu not transferring power to the Vice President Kashim Shettima. Makinde vowed to transmit power to the Vice President whenever he is unavailable, promising to obey the Constitution 'to the letter' if elected president in 2027. He said his pledge on presidential power transfer was consistent with Section 145 of the Constitution, which requires the President to transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.
Makinde also made promises on education, vowing to establish reliable data on the number of out-of-school children and develop measures to return them to school. This move aims to address the issue of out-of-school children in the country. Furthermore, Makinde called for mining to be removed from the Exclusive Legislative List and devolved to the states, with the Federal Government retaining oversight.
The APM Vice-Presidential Candidate, Lawal Daura, also spoke at the town hall meeting, stating that the North-West was yearning for change. He identified insecurity and poverty as the region's serious challenges. Daura said Makinde's proposed reset aligned with his own belief that Nigeria needed fundamental change, urging supporters to exercise their civic rights and vote for the APM ticket.
Daura emphasized that the details of Makinde's proposed agenda would be unveiled as the campaign progresses. He described the proposed agenda as real, sincere, and honest, and one that would deliver results. Makinde, in his remarks, urged Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, and participate in the 2027 poll.
On the 2027 election, Makinde maintained that it would not be a contest between political parties, but rather between the APC and Nigerians. He emphasized the need for Nigerians to come out and exercise their franchise, saying that the election would be a defining moment for the country.
Key points
- Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, denies receiving N50bn from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the upgrade of the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan.
- Makinde promises to obey the Constitution 'to the letter' if elected president in 2027, vowing to transmit power to the Vice President whenever he is unavailable.
- The APM ticket, led by Makinde and Daura, urges Nigerians to obtain their PVCs and participate in the 2027 poll, promising fundamental change in the country.
