By Mohammed Bello Doka
In a compelling revelation, Senator Ali Ndume issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu, cautioning against the proposed relocation of key departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos. During an exclusive interview on Channels Television, Ndume expressed concerns about potential political consequences should the move be pursued.
Senator Ndume, a seasoned politician, argued that a cartel he referred to as "Lagos Boys" was misleading President Tinubu. He asserted that these individuals lacked a comprehensive understanding of Nigeria's intricate workings and warned that they would be unable to navigate the repercussions of such a decision.
“If you don’t know Nigeria, you only know Lagos, then you start doing things as if Nigeria is Lagos. Lagos is in Nigeria. That’s a wrong decision," Ndume stated emphatically.
Ndume further contended that if the motivation behind the relocation was to alleviate congestion, more suitable locations such as Nasarawa, Kaduna, or Kogi, in close proximity to Abuja, should be considered. He stressed that such a move to Lagos, a considerable distance away, would be impractical and could have far-reaching consequences.
“These guys who are just sitting down there, trying to hang on to Mr. President will not be there to amend the political mistakes or even to correct it because they don’t know anybody. They only know their offices. And they only know that they have brains,” Ndume remarked, underscoring the potential fallout of the decision.
Ndume highlighted that the relocation decision seemed to stem from a misunderstanding of Nigeria's diverse geography and economic activities. He reminded President Tinubu that his election wasn't dependent on votes from Lagos and urged him to reconsider the decision, emphasizing the unity of the nation.
“There’s a consensus in the North against the move by the president because there’s only one federal capital, which is Abuja," Ndume emphasized, reflecting a broader sentiment against the proposed relocation.
In his closing remarks, the senator expressed confidence that President Tinubu, as a nationalist, would review the decision. However, he hinted at potential democratic actions if the relocation persisted, stating, “This is democracy, and we know what to do.”
As the controversy surrounding the relocation unfolds, Senator Ali Ndume's strong stance echoes the concerns of many who question the rationale behind moving vital institutions away from the nation's capital.
Tags
News