I read with dismay reports from different newspapers of the Federal Government’s move to relocate some agencies to Lagos from Abuja.
The development has sparked reactions from Nigerians more especially from the North questioning the move as having a hidden agenda of relocating the Federal Capital to Lagos.
It started with the Central Bank of Nigeria that recently announced the relocation of some key departments to Lagos then an announcement by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria of relocating its headquarters to Lagos.
This is coming at a time when Nigerians are accusing President Tinubu of nepotism, appointing his kinsmen to key positions in government.
If you relocate these key CBN departments and FAAN headquarters to Lagos then what’s the essence of the Federal Capital Territory?
Is it a hidden agenda of relocating the Federal Capital to Lagos or that of boosting the revenue of the state in a move to weaken the economy of Abuja because the President comes from Lagos?
This move under the watch of the President should not come at this critical time when leaders are working hard to unite the country.
The idea of relocating the Federal Capital of Nigeria from Abuja to Lagos didn’t happen for selfish reasons, it was after careful consideration and experts’ recommendation that Abuja was chosen as Nigeria’s capital.
This started under General Murtala Ramat Mohammed and was implemented by successful military governments until its final relocation by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida from Lagos.
I’m with the Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum Board of Trustees Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu on this matter. If the justification for FAAN relocation to Lagos is because there are more airline activities in Lagos, then the Ministry of Commerce should be moved to Onitsha or Kano.
Ministry of Education should be relocated to Zaria in Kaduna State because there are more institutions of learning in Zaria than in any other city in Nigeria hence the naming of Kaduna as Centre of Learning.
The same goes for the Ministry of Agriculture where Dalhatu suggested its relocation to Makurdi, Benue State because of the Farming activities in the state.
The President has no moral justification for these relocations unless he is proving to his opponents right that he has an agenda of relocating the Federal Capital to Lagos by empowering the state to boost its economic activities.
Insecurity is all over the FCT, the Minister Nyesom Wike is busy with Rivers politics, and how to impeach his godson governor for not being loyal is his top utmost priority not the security of Abuja.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, the highest elected political office holder in the state has complained of the minister’s refusal to pick up her call or reply to her text messages over issues affecting the FCT.
She said this on Politics Today when my brother Seun Okinbaloye hosted her while she was away in London.
This has proven the minister’s unseriousness to governance but he was rather seen placing unnecessary blame on the matter.
I hope Wike will honour the invitation of the Senate and will see whether the red chamber will take action if he fails to honour its invitation.
I just do hope that all these unnecessary relocations under the watch of President Tinubu will stop for the unity and betterment of this country.
Adnan is a media personality and can be reached at Adnanmukhtaradam@gmail.com
