Northern senators have rejected the planned relocation of some federal agencies from Abuja to Lagos just as they alleged lopsidedness in the distribution and allocation of resources in the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget against the North.
The senators made their feeling known in a statement issued by their spokesperson, Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District on the platform of the New Nigeria Political Party (NNPP).
Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in a recent internal memo, announced plans to transfer some of its departments to Lagos State, citing congestion at the headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Shortly after the CBN announcement, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, also ordered the relocation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) headquarters from Abuja to Lagos.
But the lawmakers, under the aegis of Northern Senators’ Forum, kicked against the move and urged their constituents to remain patient, saying they would engage the executive in peaceful negotiations and deploy legal measures where necessary to address the issue.
The 58 Northern senators, in a statement by Sumaila, said: “As representatives of the people at the national level (Senate), we are committed to addressing the concerns and feelings of our constituents regarding certain decisions and policies put forth by the Federal Government – lopsidedness in the distribution and allocation of resources in the 2024 budget, relocation of some federal agencies from Abuja to Lagos.
“We understand the importance of fostering a harmonious relationship between the government and its citizens, and it is in this spirit that we are announcing our collective efforts to seek an amicable resolution to these pressing issues, within the confines of our constitution and existing laws.
