… Says Ndume speaks for himself, not North
… Urges him to retrace his steps
By Lanre Oloyede
Following his comment on the planned relocation of a department of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to Lagos, Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Jackson Lekan-Ojo, has warned the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, not to ignite ethnic tension among Nigerians.
Ndume had voiced his concerns over the decision by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to relocate key departments from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to Lagos State.
Senator Ndume considered the move as a plot against the North, and warned of potential political repercussions if President Bola Tinubu does not reconsider this move.
In an interview on a national Television, Senator Ndume questioned the rationale behind relocating the departments to Lagos, expressing the belief that the decision was hastily made. He suggested that the relocation could lead to increased costs and unnecessary risks for workers, emphasizing the need for a thoughtful reconsideration of the move.
Reacting to Ndume ‘s statement, Chief Lekan-Ojo expressed disappointment over the lawmaker’s comment, noting that such is umbecoming of someone of his political standing.
The security expert warned that given the tensed security situation the country found herself, such comments coming from someone of Ndume’s political status could spark ethnic tension and disharmony.
The highly experienced public affairs analyst noted that President Tinubu couldn’t have agreed to such decision without due consultations on the pros and cons of such move.
“Mr President has the executive power to choose or dictate whatever direction he wants things to go. He is not an autocratic leader, and he must have made wide consultations before taking such decision.
“Everybody has the fundamental human rights to either oppose it or suggest better ways.
“There are some quarters that you don’t expect certain statements or comments that could breed ethnic disharmony in this country.
“I am surprised that this is coming from someone occupying the exalted position of the Chief Whip of the Senate making such atrocious and alarming statement.
“Let’s ask ourselves the truth; is this program against Northern Nigeria, is it against Hausa/Fulani proper?
“Navy University sometimes was taken to Kano, where is the water in Kano? University of Marine transportation was taken to Katsina State, where is water in Katsina State? Why will Senator Ali Ndume be using this to raise alarm?
“We are talking of a United Nigeria, we are talking of how to bring Nigeria back to achieve oneness in unity that will bring back security and boost our economy but unfortunately someone of that calibre is coming to raise ethnic issues with the tensed situations.
“Unity is what we are looking for in this country and someone is there singing song of ethnic war? I think it is uncalled for.
“I’ve consulted with many northern leaders, political leaders and religious leaders in Northern Nigeria and I can tell you that Senator Ali Ndume is speaking on behalf of himself and family alone. He’s not speaking for the north, not speaking for northern legislators, not speaking for northern politicians, he’s not speaking for northern elders. He is speaking for himself.
“People like us are calling on Senator Ali Ndume to retrace his step. We don’t need anything that will fan ember of disunity in this country.
“This is one indivisible Nigeria and we are going to be living together. No action of any government will disunite us in this country,’ Chief Lekan-Ojo said.
Speaking on the protracted Rivers State political crisis, the APC chieftain advised former governor Wike to act as the leader that he is and call a roundtable meeting of all stakeholders to resolve the issue once and for all.
“As it stands today, it’s like Rivers State has no legislative arm. This one we are having different court rulings and counter-rulings, it is very embarrassing.
” What Wike should do as the political leader in the State is to come to the State, take all the warring parties to the State House and resolve this issue so that there will be peace in Rivers State because without peace there won’t be unity, without unity, there won’t be growth, without growth there won’t be development. That’s my advice for Wike. He shouldn’t build a structure and use his hands to destroy it. Gov Sim Fubara is not as experienced as he is politically, that is the reason he should call him into the inner room and iron out this issue once and for all.”
On the issue of escalating insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory, the experienced security expert warned people to desist from blaming the FCT Minister, Wike, stressing that he is not the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
Chief Lekan-Ojo expressed confidence that with the steps the FCT Minister has taken so far by laiasing with the Army, police, paramilitary, traditional rulers and other security agencies, the insecurity in Abuja will soon be a thing of the past.
The party chieftain urged Mr Wike to sheathe his sword and reconcile with those he has issues with.
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