Wike Lied, FG Did Not Give Oyo N50bn For Ibadan Airport – Oyo Govt

The Oyo State Government has dismissed as false and provocative, claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike that the Federal Government gave the state N50 billion for the reconstruction of the Ibadan airport.

The government in a press statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju on Monday, said the Federal Government did not give Oyo a kobo for the airport project.

According to the statement, President Bola Tinubu’s minute on the proposal submitted to him by Governor Makinde was “Approved at no cost to the Federal Government”, adding that the records are with the presidency and the Oyo State Government.

This clarification became necessary in the light of a false and provocative statement made on a television station on Monday by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike that the president had ‘settled’ Oyo State with N50 billion for the reconstruction of the airport,” the statement said.

The government explained that in line with the approval granted by the Federal Government, which clearly stated that the airport upgrade would be undertaken at no cost to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government has fully financed a comprehensive transformation of the facility.

It listed the components to include the expansion and strengthening of the runway, upgrade of the airfield lighting and navigational systems, apron improvements, construction of supporting infrastructure such as the dualised Airport Road, enhanced aviation safety installations, and ongoing work on a modern international terminal designed to significantly boost passenger and cargo capacity.

Every component of the upgrade has been executed and funded solely by Oyo State,” it stated.

The state government described Wike’s statement as both untrue and unfortunate, saying he should have sought knowledge on the matter before going on air.

“Mr. Wike’s assertion does not originate from any Federal Executive Council decision, presidential approval, or statutory aviation infrastructure process. It is not an official communication of the Federal Government. It is not backed by documentation. It is not grounded in fact. It is a claim made without responsibility and without regard for the truth, and should therefore be disregarded by members of the public,” the statement said.

It added that aviation infrastructure funding follows strict due-process channels involving the Federal Ministry of Aviation and other regulatory bodies, noting that these channels are transparent, traceable, and publicly verifiable and none of them reflects the figure Wike circulated.

“The Oyo State Government will not allow misinformation, especially one of this magnitude, to be weaponised for political point-scoring or used to distort public understanding of government finances. The claim is not only false; it is reckless, misleading, and capable of eroding public trust if left unchallenged.

“Let it be stated unambiguously: The Federal Government did not give Oyo State N50 billion for the Ibadan Airport upgrade. Any suggestion to the contrary is a fabrication and a lie from the pit of hell,” the government said.

The Oyo State Government said it remains committed to transparency, accountability, and factual public communication, urging public officials to exercise restraint and responsibility, and to refrain from making unfounded statements that misinform citizens and politicise development efforts.

DJAN Throws Weight Behind Akinsete Olakunle, APM Ahead of 2027

The 2027 political landscape in Ibadan South West is beginning to generate fresh momentum as the Deejays Association of Nigeria (DJAN), Ibadan Southwest Zone, has reportedly endorsed the candidacy of Hon. Akinsete Olakunle and expressed support for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) ahead of the forthcoming election.

The endorsement, according to reports from the engagement, represents a significant show of support for Akinsete’s ambition to represent Ibadan South West Constituency II in the Oyo State House of Assembly.

DJAN members were said to have thrown their weight behind the aspiration while also declaring their support for the APM family, further placing the entertainment and creative community among the stakeholders engaging with the political process ahead of 2027.

The development comes as Akinsete continues his engagements with stakeholders, community leaders, youths and various groups across the constituency, with discussions reportedly centred on effective representation, youth development, community advancement and inclusive governance.

Speaking on the endorsement, supporters described the development as a reflection of confidence in Akinsete’s commitment to public service and his engagement with the people at the grassroots.

For many young people within the creative and entertainment space, issues around opportunities, skills development, economic empowerment and stronger representation remain important areas of interest. DJAN itself describes its mission as promoting professionalism, training, welfare and opportunities for young people within Nigeria’s deejaying and creative industries.

The endorsement therefore adds another layer to the growing political conversations surrounding Ibadan South West Constituency II as stakeholders and community groups continue to make their positions known ahead of the 2027 elections.

With Akinsete positioning his aspiration around service, youth inclusion and grassroots representation, the latest development is expected to further intensify political activities and stakeholder engagements across the constituency.

As the road to 2027 continues, all eyes will remain on Ibadan South West as candidates, political parties and various interest groups continue to build relationships and mobilise support ahead of the election.

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APM Deputy Gov Candidate, Open Salawu, Donates N15m For Rabitah Conference, N1m To Ulamas

The Deputy Governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, in Oyo State, Engr. Muftau Open Salawu, has donated the sum of Fifteen Million Naira (N15m) in support of the upcoming Oyo 2026 Rabitah Conference aimed at advancing the development of Islam in the state and across Yorubaland.

He also made a personal donation of One Million Naira (N1m) to the delegation as pocket money, in demonstration of his longstanding culture of honouring and caring for Ulamas.

Engr. Open Salawu, who is the Giwa Adinni of Oyo State and the Babalaje of Ogbomosoland, announced the donations on Tuesday when he received the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Imam Abdul-Ganiyy Abubakry Agbotomokekere, alongside a delegation of distinguished Imams, Alfas and Islamic scholars from across Yorubaland.

The delegation, under the aegis of Rabitatul Aimmat Wal Ulamai Fi Bilaadi Yoruba (League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland), paid a courtesy visit to the APM Governorship candidate as part of preparations for the Yorubaland Muslim Conference, Ibadan 2026, scheduled for November.

The delegation described Engr. Open Salawu as the pride of Islam in Oyo State, commending his consistent contributions to the propagation and development of Islam over the years.

They listed some of his interventions to include building the Central Mosque in Ilajue, Surulere Local Government Area; building the Central Mosque in Olokoto, Orire Local Government Area; single-handedly building the mosques in Ile-Ogiri and Tara in Ogbomoso; supporting the foundation of the Ikoyi Central Mosque and roofing several Jumat mosques.

Other interventions highlighted include initiating Itikaf at the Ogbomoso Central Mosque and funding the feeding of 100 participants annually since 2023, feeding 9,000 people every Ramadan for the past 8 years, and sponsoring Muslim and Christian programmes on Parrot FM, Ogbomoso for over 10 years.

They formally invited him to the conference while applauding his generous support.

According to the Ulamas, the three-day conference, scheduled to hold from November 13 to 16, 2026, at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, will be intellectually engaging and spiritually uplifting.

They disclosed that the conference will bring together renowned Islamic scholars, community leaders, government officials and stakeholders to deliberate on values that bind society together, including peace, unity, education, moral leadership, youth development and the strengthening of religious and community institutions.

Topics to be discussed include the role of Imams in purifying Islamic pulpits, the duties of political leaders ahead of the forthcoming elections, and other pertinent issues affecting the Muslim Ummah and the nation at large.

NUT, NASU Back Adekanmbi, Demand Better Welfare, Digitalised Schools in Oyo

The 2027 governorship campaign in Oyo State received another significant development as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Oyo State chapters, declared their support for the governorship candidacy of Hon. Bimbo Abim Adekanmbi.

The declaration was made during an engagement between Adekanmbi and representatives of the education-sector unions in Oyo town, where the unions also used the opportunity to present their concerns and expectations for the future of education workers and schools across the state.

Beyond the endorsement, the meeting provided an opportunity for direct interaction, with union representatives raising issues around workers’ welfare, professional development, digitisation, school facilities, allowances, promotions and other conditions affecting teachers and non-academic staff.

The NUT highlighted expectations including improved welfare packages, rural allowances, electronic lesson notes, digitisation of schools and regular training and retraining programmes for teachers. NASU also presented concerns relating to the peculiar nature of non-academic staff duties and called for measures that would address their welfare.

Responding to the issues raised, Adekanmbi reaffirmed that the welfare of education workers would remain an important component of his administration's agenda if elected.

He assured the unions that salaries, pensions and statutory emoluments would remain protected, while other demands presented during the engagement would receive due consideration.

Adekanmbi also reiterated his commitment to listening directly to residents and using firsthand information from communities and stakeholders to shape policies and programmes.

On education, he outlined areas of proposed intervention including curriculum upgrades, digitalisation, e-learning and capacity-building initiatives for teachers and other education workers.

The engagement, therefore, went beyond political endorsement, bringing the concerns of those working within Oyo’s education system directly to the table.

For Adekanmbi, the message was clear: strengthening education requires not only better infrastructure and technology, but also a motivated workforce whose welfare and professional development are given sustained attention.

As the 2027 election approaches, the engagement has placed education workers and the future of Oyo’s schools firmly within the wider conversation about governance, continuity and development in the state.

MAJOR BOOST FOR APM: NATA OYO CHAPTER THROWS WEIGHT BEHIND MAKINDE, ADEKANMBI & APM CANDIDATES

Automobile Technicians Unite Behind APM Ticket, Declare Support for Seyi Makinde for President and Bimbo Adekanmbi for Oyo Governor

The political momentum around the APM in Oyo State has received a significant boost as the Oyo State Chapter of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) announced its support for the APM political family ahead of the forthcoming elections.

In a major show of solidarity, the association declared its support for Governor Seyi Makinde for President, Hon. Bimbo Abim Adekanmbi for Governor of Oyo State, as well as other APM candidates contesting various elective positions across the state.

The endorsement represents another notable show of support from a key professional and grassroots constituency whose members cut across communities, workshops and automobile service centres throughout Oyo State.

Speaking during the engagement, NATA members expressed their confidence in the leadership direction represented by the candidates, stressing the importance of continuity, effective governance, economic development and policies that positively impact ordinary citizens and working professionals

.The association’s support for Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi also signals growing confidence in his ambition to provide purposeful leadership and build on the progress recorded in Oyo State. Members noted the importance of having leadership that understands the realities faced by artisans, technicians, entrepreneurs and other members of the working population.

For the automobile technicians, the endorsement is about more than politics. It is also about ensuring that the voices and interests of artisans and skilled professionals remain part of the conversation about the future of Oyo State.

The NATA Oyo Chapter further pledged to mobilise its members and networks across the state in support of the APM candidates, demonstrating its commitment to the political direction it has chosen.

The development adds another layer to the growing mobilisation around the APM as different groups, professionals, youths and grassroots stakeholders continue to make their positions known ahead of the elections.

For the APM camp, the NATA declaration is being seen as a significant grassroots boost and another indication that the party’s message is resonating across different sectors of the state.

With the automobile technicians now joining the growing list of groups identifying with the APM ticket, the political landscape continues to witness increased mobilisation as the race gathers momentum.

From the workshops to the grassroots, the message from NATA Oyo Chapter is clear: their support is with Seyi Makinde for President, Bimbo Adekanmbi for Governor, and other APM candidates across Oyo State.