CBN and FAAN: President Bola Tinubu’s spokesman Bayo Onanuga has strongly rejected rumors that Nigeria’s capital will be relocated from Abuja to Lagos under the new administration.
Onanuga condemned the false claims as “dangerous politics” aimed at fomenting discord, stating unequivocally that “President Tinubu has no plan whatsoever to move the Federal Capital to Lagos.”
The presidential aide issued the rebuttal following controversial recent decisions to transfer some federal agencies from Abuja back to Lagos. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced relocation of specific departments dealing with commercial banks, the majority headquartered in Lagos. Similarly, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) disclosed plans to move its corporate headquarters to Lagos where it was originally based until the last administration.
While Onanuga defended the CBN and FAAN administrative moves due to Lagos’ status as Nigeria’s commercial nerve center and aviation hub, northern leaders have voiced outrage. The Arewa Consultative Forum rejected the relocations as detrimental to unity, while a prominent senator warned of “political consequences” for Tinubu if they proceed.
Dismissing the brewing controversy as exaggerated, Onanuga clarified that the agency shifts are limited in scope, with some presence still retained in the capital. He argued regulators should operate where the bulk of businesses under their supervision are located, noting FAAN’s crucial infrastructure role across all major airports.
The presidential spokesman further contended that previous governments had agencies stationed outside of Abuja necessitated by functional considerations versus political motivations. Onanuga cited waterways and maritime authorities headquartered in port cities Lagos and Lokoja as examples of non-Abuja-based parastatals.
In conclusion, CBN and FAAN,
Onanuga labeled the sinister rumors of Nigeria’s capital moving to Lagos as dangerous, ethnically-charged fearmongering. He reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to Abuja as the undisputed federal capital while calling out officials for politicizing administrative policies. With tensions already high post-election, the presidency clearly seeks to quash speculative narratives threatening national unity.
Source CBN, FAAN relocation: Presidency, others tackle Ndume published in Punch