Senator Ali Ndume, the Chief Whip of the Senate, says he is not in support of the relocation of the key departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, from the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to Lagos State.
Speaking on Tuesday during a chat on Channels Television’s programme, Ndume, who represents Borno South, implored Tinubu to rescind the decision.
Recall that an internal memo circulated last week in which the apex bank directed some of its units to move to Lagos in a bid to decongest the Abuja headquarters.
The development had sparked controversy as some Nigerians, particularly Northerners, rejected the move.
The Arewa Consultative Forum said it was part of a long-standing plot to further underdevelop the Northern region.
Speaking on the matter, Ndume wondered why the CBN units are not moved to states close to Abuja, saying there would be political consequences if the apex bank forge ahead with the relocation.
Ndume opined that the decision “was not well thought out,” saying he “is confident that the president is going to reverse it.”
He added: “And if that does not happen, of course, this is democracy; we know what to do.”
He said: “Why was the headquarters moved from Lagos to Abuja? Was it not because of the congestion there? I don’t even see any issues of congestion. There is going to be an increase in cost because they are going to be running from Lagos to Abuja, spending more money and even exposing our workers to unnecessary risks.
“Don’t try to bring tribalism into it. I’m not a Hausa man and I’m not a Fulani man but I’m a Northerner and a Nigerian. Those misleading the president are not doing him any good because this is going to have some political consequences. If Tinubu was not elected president, the CBN governor would not be there. It was not Lagos votes that put Tinubu there.”
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