THE Presidency yesterday denied claims that the Bola Tinubu administration intended to move the Federal Capital of Nigeria back to Lagos, its previous location. It described these suggestions as the work of “mischief-makers” seeking to stir up unnecessary ethnic discord between the North and the South.
This response came after the recent decision by the Federal Government to relocate the Department of Banking Supervision of the Central Bank of Nigeria to Lagos and the directive of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to relocate the head office of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria to Lagos. This move has drawn criticism from Northern senators and youths who see it as an attempt to disadvantage the North.
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial, accused President Tinubu of being misled by “political cartels” and “Lagos boys” into making misguided decisions, warning of potential “political consequences” from the planned relocation.
In a statement, the Presidency, through the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, rebuffed the claims, emphasizing that Abuja’s status as the Federal Capital is legally established and not subject to change. It attributed the rumors to political opponents who failed to prevent Tinubu’s rise to the Presidency, describing them as dishonest actors seeking attention.
Onanuga clarified that the relocation of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria’s head office and the Department of Banking Supervision of the CBN to Lagos does not equate to moving the Federal Capital to Lagos. He stressed that these administrative changes should not cause discord, as Lagos is the commercial capital and a major hub for aviation business in Nigeria.
The Presidency affirmed that the Tinubu-led administration is committed to fairness and equity across the country and urged restraint from those spreading rumors and misinformation.
Additionally, Senator Karimi Sunday criticized Ndume’s remarks, stating that they were personal and did not represent the Senate’s position. Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s ex-spokesperson, Doyin Okupe, also cautioned Ndume, calling his statements provocative.
Meanwhile, Udengs Eradiri, a former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, appealed to President Tinubu to consider relocating critical federal agencies involved in the oil business to the Niger Delta region, emphasizing the need for decentralization and balanced development. He urged the President to compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to move the headquarters of some of its subsidiaries to the Niger Delta region to foster regional development and quell unrest related to oil operations.
“We recall that during the visit of Yemi Osinbajo, in his capacity as an acting President, he promised that the Federal Government would compel oil multinationals to relocate their offices to the Niger Delta region. However, throughout the lifespan of that administration, that promise was not fulfilled.
“We know that a new sheriff is in town with new and unique ways of doing things. The new government believes in decentralisation and even development. In the spirit of the ongoing decongestion of the Capital Territory, we appeal to the President to remember the Niger Delta by compelling NNPCL to send the headquarters of their subsidiaries to the region.
“It will facilitate the development of our region and give all communities a sense of belonging. It will also stop incessant attacks on oil facilities by persons who feel sidelined by the operations of oil companies in our region,” Eradiri said in a statement yesterday.
