Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate Seyi Makinde has rejected a claim by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that President Bola Tinubu gave Oyo State N50 billion for the upgrade of the Ibadan airport.
Wike made the claim on Monday during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, saying the funding was provided to support the airport’s upgrade to international standards.
But speaking at the APM North-West Town Hall Meeting in Katsina on Tuesday, Makinde described the claim as false, saying the project was being funded entirely by the Oyo State Government.
“The President did not give N50 billion to me or to Oyo State to upgrade the Ibadan Airport. The airport upgrade project is being undertaken 100 percent with the money of Oyo State,” Makinde said.
The governor began the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in September 2024, with the first phase awarded to Craneburg at an initial cost of N41 billion.
The project includes the upgrade of the airport to international standards. The domestic terminal was completed in October 2025, while work on the international terminal and facilities for customs and immigration is ongoing, according to reports.
The dispute comes amid political differences between Makinde and Wike ahead of the 2027 general election. Makinde, who was previously part of the PDP’s G5 governors, is now the APM’s presidential candidate, while Wike has backed President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
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