Doyin Okupe, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has knocked the senator representing Borno South senatorial district, 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.
Ndume, in a Channels Television interview on Tuesday, said that the president is being ill-advised by “Lagos boys” in the corridors of power.
Ndume said: “The regulators of the financial institutions are in Abuja. You want to move because, as 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.”
But 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” for a politician of his pedigree and position in Nigerian polity.
He wrote: “Your recent pronouncement on the above subject matter is provocative and unexpected for 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 contested 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 to your status.
“Ours is a fragile democracy, and from the first republic to date, the 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, oftentimes, on political expediency and the prevailing power locus.
“For instance, why should major military installations and institutions be domiciled in the North? or will the Nigerian Port Authority and the Nigerian Customs be located in Abuja? These are 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 recall, 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 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 dare say, as 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.”
