Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has disputed claims that the Federal Government released ₦50 billion to support the ongoing upgrade of the Ladoke Akintola International Airport in Ibadan.
Makinde said the airport project was being financed by the Oyo State Government, contradicting a claim attributed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had provided the state with ₦50 billion for the project.
The governor made the clarification on Tuesday during the APM’s North-West Zonal Town Hall Meeting in Katsina, one of a series of engagements being organised by the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Makinde, he was drawn to comments reportedly made by Wike during a television programme on Monday, prompting him to respond to the issue at the Katsina meeting.
He insisted that neither he personally nor the Oyo State Government received the alleged ₦50 billion from the President for the airport upgrade.
“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,” Makinde said.
“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.”
Wike’s reported claim and Makinde’s response have consequently placed the financing of the Ibadan airport project at the centre of a fresh political disagreement between the two politicians.
The available reports, however, reflect the competing statements from the two sides rather than an independently established resolution of the funding dispute.
Makinde outlines economic plans
Away from the airport controversy, Makinde used the Katsina town hall to present parts of the APM’s proposed “Reset Nigeria” agenda, which he said would focus on the economy, education, security and the distribution of responsibilities between the Federal Government and the states.
He argued that Nigeria needed to move away from an economy that depends heavily on its natural resources without sufficiently developing the skills and productive capacity of its population.
According to him, economic growth would require greater emphasis on human capital, knowledge, skills and intensive production.
Makinde also called for economic activities to operate around the clock, arguing that Nigeria would struggle to compete internationally if businesses and productive activities largely shut down in the evening.
“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.”
The governor presented the proposal as part of his broader argument for an economy capable of creating jobs, supporting businesses and increasing productivity.
Governor seeks changes in mining sector
The APM presidential candidate also proposed changes to the constitutional arrangement governing Nigeria’s mining sector.
Mining is currently under the Federal Government’s constitutional jurisdiction, but Makinde argued that state governments should have greater responsibility for activities relating to mineral resources within their territories.
He proposed devolving mining responsibilities to the states while retaining a federal 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 connected the issue to the wider problem of illegal mining and the economic circumstances surrounding the activity.
He referred to deaths involving suspected illegal miners in Niger State and questioned whether poverty and a lack of legitimate economic opportunities were contributing to the willingness of young people to engage in dangerous mining activities.
Rather than relying only on enforcement, he argued that government should also examine the economic forces sustaining illegal mining and address both the supply and demand sides of the problem.
Education, out-of-school children
Education also featured prominently in Makinde’s proposed national agenda.
He said a government under his leadership would first seek dependable data on the number of children currently outside the formal school system.
According to him, government cannot effectively address the out-of-school problem without knowing its actual scale and identifying where affected children are located.
He therefore proposed using reliable data to guide interventions aimed at bringing children back into classrooms.
The education proposal formed part of what the APM candidate described as a wider reset of Nigeria’s social and economic systems.
Makinde promises constitutional compliance
The governor also spoke about constitutional requirements governing the temporary absence of a president from the country.
Makinde said he would comply with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution if elected president in 2027.
The provision concerns the transmission of a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives when the President is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.
Makinde said he would ensure that the constitutional procedure was followed whenever he was unavailable to perform presidential duties.
He also compared the arrangement with procedures followed by state governors when they are away from their states 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.
APM leaders highlight insecurity and poverty
Speaking at the town hall, APM vice-presidential candidate Lawal Musa Daura identified insecurity and poverty as major challenges confronting the North-West and Nigeria more broadly.
Daura said the party would provide further details of its proposed policies as its campaign progresses, while identifying the restoration of security and normal economic activity as key priorities.
APM National Chairman Yusuf Mamman Dantalle also called for collective action to confront insecurity, hunger, poverty and inadequate access to education.
He said insecurity had affected Nigerians’ ability to move freely, conduct businesses and access farms, with farmers particularly affected when they are unable to reach their agricultural land safely.
Dantalle urged Nigerians to support efforts aimed at restoring an environment in which people could travel, farm, attend school and conduct commercial activities without fear.
The Katsina engagement marked the beginning of the APM’s North-West zonal town hall consultations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party has said the meetings are intended to provide a platform for interaction with citizens and stakeholders across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
Makinde, meanwhile, urged Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate in the 2027 election, maintaining that the APM campaign would be centred on issues and its proposed “Reset Nigeria” programme.
The Katsina meeting consequently combined the governor’s response to the disputed airport funding claim with his presentation of the economic, education, security and governance priorities he says would form part of his presidential campaign.
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