Tinubu Gave Makinde’s ₦50bn For Ibadan Airport Project – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu provided ₦50 billion to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to support the upgrading of the Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan into an international facility.

Wike made this disclosure on Monday, September 21, 2026, during an live appearance on TVC News’ Journalists’ Hangout using the revelation to counter widespread public claims that he is the sole beneficiary of the Tinubu administration among the G5 group of former and serving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors.

According to the FCT Minister, President Tinubu’s administration has extended substantial handshakes to other members of the G5 who broke ranks with the PDP to tacitly support his 2023 presidential bid, meaning no one was left empty-handed.

To back his assertions, Wike noted that the presidency has systematically accommodated his G5 allies in key national and diplomatic roles.

He pointed to the recent federal appointments of former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, and former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as Ambassador to Greece.

“It is entirely incorrect to say I am the only G5 governor benefiting from Tinubu’s government,” Wike stated, arguing that the ₦50 billion intervention given to Makinde’s administration in Oyo State is a testament to the President’s inclusive reward system.

Shifting focus to his immediate political future, Wike declared that his topmost political priority is ensuring President Tinubu secures a second term in office in 2027 pledging to deploy “all his might and strength” to actualize this goal.

He stoutly defended his moves to build a cross-party “Rainbow Coalition,” dismissing allegations that the network is meant to destabilize existing political structures. Instead, Wike described the claims as “baseless,” explaining that the coalition serves as a platform to unite like-minded politicians from various party backgrounds to rally behind the President’s agenda.