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The controversy surrounding the relocation of the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and some departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Lagos State continues. The decision to relocate these government agencies to Lagos has been met with resistance, particularly from Northerners who believe it is a move to under-develop the region.
Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume has threatened a political crisis if the decision is not reversed, and the Arewa Consultative Forum has condemned the relocation, claiming it further under-develops the northern part of the country. The Northern Senators Forum has also threatened legal action against the government if the relocations are not reversed.
The controversy has extended to the Southern part of the country, with different regional groups taking different positions. The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum will meet to discuss the matter and determine a unified position. The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum has vowed to fiercely resist any attempt to interfere with the plan to relocate the headquarters, as they believe it poses a threat to Abuja’s status as the capital city and could have negative implications for the nation as a whole. On the other hand, Chucks Ibegbu, a chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, believes that the Southeast is treated as a conquered territory and has called for the relocation of at least one ministry or agency to Enugu.
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, supports the decision to relocate the FAAN headquarters and CBN units to Lagos. They believe it is in the best interest of Nigerians and claim there is nothing wrong with the decision. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has also declared that there is no going back on the decision to move the headquarters to Lagos.
The controversy surrounding the relocation comes as FAAN and CBN departments face criticism for their spending habits. It has been revealed that in one year, FAAN spent close to half a billion naira on flight tickets between Lagos and Abuja alone. This has led to calls for the agencies to be digitized to reduce unnecessary travel expenses.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the relocation of the FAAN headquarters and CBN departments to Lagos continues to generate heated discussions and opposition from various groups. Despite the resistance and threats of legal action, the government remains firm on its decision. The issue highlights regional tensions in Nigeria and the perceived under-development of certain regions. The excessive spending on travel expenses by the agencies further fuels criticism of their operations.
