- Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume opposes relocating CBN and FAAN departments, criticizes move, and expresses concern about President Tinubu being misled
- Senator Sunday Karimi counters Ndume, calls for unity, emphasizing the relocation’s aim to improve service delivery without ethnic sentiments
Ali Ndume, the Chief Whip of the Senate, has voiced his opposition to the proposed relocation of select Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) departments and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) headquarters from Abuja to Lagos.
The relocation plans put forth by CBN and FAAN have faced criticism from various quarters, particularly Northern groups. Senator Ndume, during a television program on Tuesday, cautioned against the move, expressing concern that the President was being misguided by what he referred to as “Lagos boys” in influential positions.
Senator Sunday Karimi from Kogi West countered Ndume’s stance, emphasizing that Ndume did not represent the views of Northern lawmakers. Karimi asserted that attaching ethnic or trivial sentiments to the relocation was unnecessary, emphasizing that the move aimed at fostering cohesion and improving service delivery.
In response, Ndume defended his position, labelling it as unpatriotic not to disclose the reality of the situation to President Tinubu. In a statement, he clarified that his remarks were not made on behalf of Northern Senators or the Senate but as a northerner supporting the majority’s dissent against the actions of CBN governor Olayemi Cardoso and Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo.
“With all due respect, I did not speak on behalf of the Northern Senators or the Senate but as a northerner in support of the majority of northerners and some Nigerians who are against the action of the CBN governor and the minister of aviation,” Ndume stated, drawing parallels to a former US President’s belief that failing to convey the truth is unpatriotic.
This controversy highlights differing opinions within the Senate, underscoring the need for a nuanced discussion on the relocation matter for the betterment of the nation.
Discussion about this post