The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has debunked claims by the minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu provided N50 billion for the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan.
Makinde, in a statement and video posted on his X handle on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, vehemently rejected Wike’s claim, stressing that the upgrade of the Airport is being totally and entirely funded by the Oyo State Government.
The comments by Makinde followed Wike’s remarks during an appearance on TVC News’ Journalists’ Hangout on Monday, September 21, 2026.
Wike had said that President Tinubu offered financial support of N50 billion to Makinde, which he linked to the Oyo governor’s support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.
However, while responding, Makinde said his attention had been drawn to Wike’s interview and pointedly disputed the assertion.
Makinde said; “My attention was called to an interview granted yesterday by the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, where he said that the President gave 50 billion Naira to Oyo state, or to me, to upgrade the airports to an international standard.
“The project is being financed solely by the Oyo State government. I want to say that the claim by Wike is false. The President did not give 50 billion to me, or 50 billion to Oyo state to upgrade the Ibadan airport.
“The Ibadan airport upgrade project is being undertaken 100% with the money of Oyo state,” he said.
