Northern Consensus Movement Urges Reconsideration of CBN and FAAN Relocation
From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Northern Consensus Movement (NCM) strongly opposes the Federal Government’s decision to relocate the Ministry of Aviation and certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from Abuja to Lagos, urging a reconsideration of this move.
Addressing the media, Dr. Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, the President of NCM, emphasized the collective objection to this decision, stating, “The NCM is of the opinion that the government should rescind its decision of relocating the Ministry of Aviation and some departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from Abuja to Lagos.”
The NCM raised concerns about an internal memo signed by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, detailing the directive from the Minister of Aviation, Festus Kayamo, to relocate the agency’s headquarters to Lagos.
Dr. Aliyu described this as a deliberate move against the interests of the Northern Region and other parts of Nigeria, potentially isolating the North.
Supporting the stance of Northern Senators, particularly Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, the NCM expressed solidarity with their threat to take legal action if the relocation plans proceed.
Dr. Aliyu pointed out that the CBN Establishment Act of 2007 allows the bank to have its head office in any location deemed the capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The NCM argued that relocating the Ministry of Aviation and CBN departments to Lagos would incur significant financial costs and could lead to the loss of institutional knowledge and employee disaffection.
Highlighting the availability of space for expansion and development in the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Aliyu questioned the necessity of straining resources to accommodate this relocation in Lagos.
He suggested that the move is already viewed as a sectional agenda with potential political implications, emphasizing the Northern States’ massive support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 General Election.
In conclusion, the NCM urged the government to reconsider its decision in the interest of national unity and equitable development.
