OYO GOVT TO WIKE: FG DID NOT GIVE US ₦50BN FOR IBADAN AIRPORT
The Oyo State Government has denied receiving ₦50 billion from the Federal Government for the reconstruction and upgrade of the Ibadan Airport, describing a claim to that effect by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as false and misleading.
The state government made the clarification following a statement reportedly made by Wike on a television programme on Monday, where he claimed that President Bola Tinubu had “settled” Oyo State with ₦50 billion for the reconstruction of the airport.
According to the Oyo State Government, the records relating to the airport project are with both the Presidency and the state government.
It said President Tinubu’s minute on the proposal submitted by Governor Seyi Makinde for the reconstruction and upgrade of the airport stated: “Approved at no cost to the Federal Government.”
The state government explained that, in line with the presidential approval, Oyo State has fully financed what it described as a comprehensive transformation of the airport.
The projects, according to the statement, include the expansion and strengthening of the runway, upgrade of airfield lighting and navigational systems, improvements to the apron, enhanced aviation safety installations and the construction of supporting infrastructure, including the dualisation of the Airport Road.
It added that work is also ongoing on a modern international terminal designed to significantly increase passenger and cargo capacity.
The Oyo State Government maintained that every component of the upgrade has been executed and funded solely by the state.
Reacting to Wike’s claim, the state government said: “Wike’s statement is both untrue and unfortunate. He should have sought knowledge on the matter before going on air.”
It further stated that the claim did not emanate from any Federal Executive Council decision, presidential approval or statutory aviation infrastructure process, adding that it was neither an official communication of the Federal Government nor supported by documentation.
The government also stressed that aviation infrastructure funding follows due-process channels involving the Federal Ministry of Aviation and other regulatory bodies, which it said are transparent, traceable and publicly verifiable.
“None of them reflects the figure Mr. Wike has circulated,” the statement added.
The Oyo State Government said it would not allow misinformation about the project to be used for political point-scoring or to distort public understanding of government finances.
It urged public officials to exercise restraint and responsibility when making public statements, stressing its commitment to transparency, accountability and factual communication with citizens.
The state government concluded that the Federal Government did not give Oyo State ₦50 billion for the Ibadan Airport upgrade, describing any suggestion to the contrary as “a fabrication and a lie from the pit of hell.”
