Senator Ali Ndume, the Chief Whip of the Senate, has expressed his strong opposition to the decision made by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to relocate its key departments from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to Lagos State. In an interview on Channels Television’s programme, Senator Ndume emphasized that if President Bola Tinubu does not reverse this decision, there will be political consequences.
The CBN’s directive to move certain units to Lagos in order to alleviate congestion in its Abuja headquarters has sparked controversy. Many Nigerians, particularly those from the Northern region, have vehemently opposed this move, claiming that it will further underdevelop the North.
Senator Ndume criticized the decision, stating that it was not well thought out. He expressed confidence that President Tinubu would reverse it, but warned that if this does not happen, appropriate actions will be taken in a democratic manner.
The senator also questioned why the CBN did not consider relocating the departments to nearby states such as Nasarawa, Kogi, or Kaduna, instead of Lagos. He argued that the move would increase costs, as employees would have to travel between Lagos and Abuja, and it would also expose them to unnecessary risks.
Senator Ndume emphasized that tribalism should not be brought into the discussion, as he identifies as a Northerner and a Nigerian, rather than belonging to a specific ethnic group. He criticized those who are misleading the president, stating that their actions will have political consequences. He also highlighted that it was not the votes from Lagos that put President Tinubu in power, therefore implying that his decisions should not solely favor the interests of Lagos.
