A former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, has knocked Senator Ali Ndume, for faulting the relocation of certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos.
During an interview on Channels TV, Ndume said that the president is being ill-advised by “Lagos boys” in the corridors of power and that the decision to relocate the departments to Lagos may have political consequences.
“The regulators of the financial institutions are in Abuja. You want to move because you say Lagos is the commercial capital. This is one of the mistakes and I am sure Mr President will reverse it because it does not work.”he said
However, in an open letter to Ndume, titled: RE: Movement of some parastatals to Lagos by the Federal Government, on Wednesday, Okupe, described Ndume’s position as being “provocative” and “unexpected” of a politician of his pedigree and position in Nigerian polity.
His letter in part reads;
“Your recent pronouncement on the above subject matter is provocative and unexpected of a politician of your pedigree and position in the Nigerian polity.
You have been in politics for more than two decades, you are one of the highest ranking senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you once contested and deservedly, the revered and exalted position of the Senate President.
Even if you disagreed and you are aware of the “consensus” of many Northern politicians being against this move, it is reasonable to expect that you will treat this situation with much equanimity and maturity.
Your threat against President Tinubu of political consequences because of this action of the federal government is unwarranted and demeaning of your status.
Ours is a fragile democracy and from the first Republic to date, leaders of this nation have managed our national stability and unity with great circumspection and forbearance. Our polity has not always been based on political correctness but rather, often time, on political expediency and prevailing power locus.
For instance, why should major military installations and institutions be domiciled in the North? or the Nigerian Port Authority and the Nigerian Customs be located in Abuja? These being institutions that must be of necessity close to where the harbor is, but my dear senator this is how we are as a people.
For your information sir, we are yet to evolve a true nation-state so we may need to continue to wobble and fumble administratively and politically until we can reach the much-desired national elitist consensus, which is a sine qua non for the building of a true united and virile nation.
You will recollect sir that Obasanjo’s Presidency came as a concession to the southwest following Late Chief Abiola’s death, while Goodluck Jonathan’s succession of Late President Ya’radua was predicted on the so-called “Doctrine of necessity” and the victory of Buhari in 2015 was as a result of unusual patriotism and willful surrender of power by the then President Goodluck Jonathan.
A word is enough for the wise and you distinguish Senator Ali Ndume I Dear say, is a wise man, I wish you well.
May God continue to bless and guide you in your capacity as the leaders of this great nation.”
