Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu provided Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde with ₦50 billion to support the expansion of the Ibadan International Airport.

Wike made the disclosure on Monday during an appearance on a television programme, where he explained that the financial support was part of the compensation given to Makinde after he supported Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.

Wike and four other members of the Peoples Democratic Party, who were part of the G5 governors, had opposed the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and backed Tinubu, who contested under the All Progressives Congress.

Following Tinubu’s victory, however, tensions reportedly developed between the President and Makinde. The Oyo governor had expressed disappointment over what he described as a failure to receive the expected benefits for supporting Tinubu during the election.

Wike said Makinde did not receive everything he had anticipated from the President but maintained that Tinubu nevertheless supported the governor’s airport project with ₦50 billion.

According to Wike, Makinde had expected one of his associates to be appointed as a minister, but Tinubu reportedly explained that political considerations within Oyo State made such an appointment difficult.

The FCT Minister also stated that other members of the G5 were compensated through various appointments and positions within the Tinubu administration.

Wike added that former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom was the only member of the group who declined to take up any position in the administration.