Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of making a false claim about Federal Government funding for the upgrade of the Ibadan International Airport.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Makinde/Daura 2027 Presidential Town Hall meeting in Katsina, Makinde stated that the Oyo State Government did not receive the alleged N50 billion from the Federal Government. He insisted that the expansion of the Ladoke Akintola International Airport was financed entirely with state funds.
Wike had claimed during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout programme on Monday that the administration of President Bola Tinubu supported Oyo State with N50 billion for the airport project.
Reacting to the claim, Makinde said: “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 N50 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 N50 billion to upgrade the Ibadan Airport. The Ibadan Airport upgrade project is being undertaken 100 per cent with the funds of Oyo State.”
The governor made the clarification while addressing supporters at the Northwest Consultative Meeting, where he also met with stakeholders and the party’s candidate.