In a recent interview with Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, significant concerns were raised regarding the proposed relocation of certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from the capital city, Abuja, to Lagos.
Senator Ndume voiced strong reservations about the planned move, attributing it to the influence of what he referred to as “Lagos boys,” whom he accused of providing misleading advice to President Bola Tinubu.
Expressing his apprehensions during an interview with Channels Television, the Chief Whip of the Senate emphasized that the President was being poorly advised by political groups with vested interests. Ndume asserted that such misguided counsel could lead to adverse political ramifications.
The relocation targets key CBN departments, including Banking Supervision, Other Financial Institutions Supervision, Consumer Protection, Payment System Management, and Financial Policy Regulations. Despite acknowledging Lagos as Nigeria’s commercial capital, Senator Ndume underscored the impracticality of having two federal capitals and emphasized the significance of regulatory institutions remaining in Abuja.
He discerningly highlighted the potential impracticalities of relocating vital organizations based on economic or geographical considerations. Furthermore, he expressed his confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to address the matter objectively, stressing the President’s commitment to national interests over regional inclinations.
The proposed relocation has provoked a diverse range of responses, with influential northern voices such as the Arewa Consultative Forum publicly opposing the decision. This controversy underscores the broader implications of administrative decisions in a country as diverse as Nigeria.
