The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, has issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu, cautioning that there will be political consequences if the decision to relocate key departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to Lagos is not reversed.
The CBN’s directive to move certain units to Lagos, aimed at decongesting the Abuja headquarters, has sparked controversy, particularly among Northerners who perceive it as a plan to further under-develop the Northern region.
Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, Senator Ndume, representing Borno South, expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision, asserting that it was not well thought out. He confidently stated his belief that the decision would be reversed, emphasizing the potential political repercussions if it persists.
He added: “And if that does not happen, of course, this is democracy; we know what to do.”
The lawmaker questioned why the apex bank did not consider relocating the departments to either Nasarawa, Kogi or Kaduna State, near the nation’s capital.
“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,” he added.
