John Shiklam in Kaduna
Some northern civil society groups under the auspices of Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations (JACNYA) have asked the federal government to rescind the decision to relocate the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and some key departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Lagos.
Addressing a press conference yesterday in Kaduna, Convener of JACNYA, Murtala Abubakar, said the relocation of the CBN departments to Lagos would have serious consequences for the financial inclusion, stability and security of the country.
Abubakar also said the relocation of FAAN headquarters to Lagos was a clear violation of the federal character principle enshrined in the constitution.
According to the group, moving FAAN headquarters to Lagos undermines the federal structure and the principle of equal representation and participation of all the states and regions in the governance of the country.
The group said Nigeria as a single political community would only thrive on its diversity, stressing that national institutions, including the CBN and FAAN, must reflect and promote this diversity.
“The relocation of the five critical departments of the CBN and FAAN to Lagos is inadvertently done for regional favouritism, thereby undermining the principles of inclusivity and national unity that are vital for sustaining our shared identity,” Abubakar said.
He said a scenario where economic opportunities are concentrated in one region may breed dissatisfaction and frustration in others.
He added: “It is imperative to ensure that economic opportunities are distributed fairly across regions, preventing the emergence of grievances that could lead to social discord.
“We, therefore, demand that the federal government rescind these decisions taken by the CBN and FAAN immediately and restore the status quo.
“By relocating the CBN and the headquarters to Lagos, the federal government is not only disrespecting the choice and the vision of the founding fathers of the country, but also creating a sense of alienation and exclusion among the people of the northern region and other regions that are not represented in Lagos.
“We further demand that the federal government affirms the fundamental principle of the establishment of Abuja as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in all its policies and programmes.”
According to Abubakar, “The establishment of Abuja was a deliberate decision to foster a sense of belonging and equity among all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious, or regional backgrounds.
“Therefore, any policy or action to relocate any federal institution or agency away from Abuja is unacceptable and tantamount to a betrayal of the spirit of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
