Ndume Threatens Tinubu Over CBN’s Relocation Plan

Senator Ali Ndume, the Chief Whip of the Senate, has issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu over the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s decision to move some of its key departments from Abuja to Lagos.

Ndume said that Tinubu would face political backlash if he did not reverse the decision, which he described as ill-advised and controversial.

The CBN had announced that it would relocate some units to Lagos as part of its efforts to decongest the Abuja headquarters.

However, this sparked outrage among some Nigerians, especially Northerners, who viewed it as a plot to marginalize the Northern region.

Ndume, who represents Borno South, expressed his displeasure with the decision during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday.

He said that the decision was not in the best interest of the country and that he was confident that it would be overturned. He added: “And if that does not happen, of course, this is democracy; we know what to do.”

The lawmaker also questioned the rationale behind the decision, wondering why the CBN did not consider relocating the departments to other states near Abuja, such as Nasarawa, Kogi or Kaduna.

He said that moving the departments to Lagos would increase the cost of operations, expose the workers to more risks, and worsen the congestion problem.

He also dismissed the allegations of tribalism, saying that he was not a Hausa or a Fulani man, but a Northerner and a Nigerian. He accused those who were misleading the president of harming his political reputation.

He said that Tinubu owed his presidency to the votes of Nigerians, not just Lagosians, and that the CBN governor would not have been appointed if Tinubu had not won the election.