Governor MAKINDE denies N50 billion FG funding for Ibadan airport

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 - The Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Action Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has denied receiving ₦50 billion from the Federal Government for the expansion of the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, saying the project was fully funded by the state.

Makinde made the clarification on Tuesday at the APM 2027 Presidential Town Hall meeting in Katsina, following a claim by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT), Nyesom Wike, that the President Bola Tinubu administration had provided ₦50 billion to support the airport project.

“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 ₦50 billion to Oyo State to upgrade the Ibadan Airport to international standards.

“I want to say that claim is false. The President did not give me or Oyo State ₦50 billion to upgrade the Ibadan Airport. The Ibadan Airport upgrade project is being undertaken 100 percent with the funds of Oyo State,” Makinde said.

On constitutional procedures surrounding presidential absences from the country, Makinde said he would comply with Section 145 of the Constitution if elected president.

He said the provision requires 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.

Makinde questioned why the procedure should not apply at the federal level when state governors observe similar arrangements when they are away for extended periods.

“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,” he said.

The governor also used the town hall to outline key elements of his proposed “Reset Agenda”, focusing on the economy, education, security and the distribution of responsibilities among the different levels of government.

He said his administration would seek to build an economy capable of operating round the clock, arguing that natural resources alone were insufficient without skills, knowledge and intensive production.

“We are determined to reset our economy,” he said. “Our economy must work 24/7. Otherwise, if our economy shuts down at 7 or 8 o’clock in the evening, we cannot compete with economies that are running 24/7.”

He also proposed changes to the management of Nigeria’s mining sector, arguing that mining, currently on the Exclusive Legislative List, should be devolved to the states while the Federal Government retains an oversight role.

“Devolve that responsibility to the states and let there be oversight only at the federal level. They will do better,” he said.

Makinde also raised concerns over insecurity and the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Niger State, questioning whether poverty and limited economic opportunities were contributing to illegal mining.

He argued that measures to curb illegal mining should address both the supply and demand sides of the activity.

On education, Makinde said a government led by him would focus on obtaining reliable data on out-of-school children and developing measures to return them to classrooms.

He also said the APM campaign would be issue-based and urged Nigerians to obtain their permanent voter cards and participate in the 2027 election.

Earlier, APM vice-presidential candidate Lawal Daura said insecurity and poverty remained among the major challenges facing the North-West and Nigeria.

Daura said the party’s campaign would provide details of its proposed policies as it progressed, but identified restoring security and normalcy as priorities.

APM National Chairman Yusuf Mamman Dantalle also called for collective action to address insecurity, hunger, poverty and limited access to education.

He said worsening insecurity had made it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to travel freely and for farmers to access their farms, urging citizens to support efforts to restore normal economic and social activities.