• Ndume wants Tinubu to know truth all time, says Okupe
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has backed the relocation of some departments of the apex bank from Abuja to Lagos. He said it was the right thing to do, adding that the opponents were playing dirty politics.
There have been criticisms in certain quarters since the CBN announced the decision. Some northern politicians kicked against the move, warning that it would have political consequences.
But Sanusi, who was 14th Emir of Kano, in a statement, said the relocation is an “eminently sensible move.” He noted: “Moving certain functions to the Lagos office, which is bigger than the Abuja head office, is an eminently sensible move.”
The banker said he had it in mind to do the same thing while in office, but did not have sufficient time to see it through. He continued: “In my mind, what I would have done was to move FSS and most of its operations to Lagos such that the two deputy governors would be largely operating out of Lagos or, even if they were more in Abuja, the bulk of their operational staff would be in Lagos.
“Economic policy, corporate services and all the departments reporting to the Governor directly such as Strategy, Audit, Risk management, Governor’s office etc would remain in Abuja.
“It makes eminent strategic sense. And I would have done this if I had stayed.” Sanusi dismissed the opposition against the policy as “absolutely unnecessary,” observing: “The CBN has staff manning its branches and cash offices across the federation.”He added: “Moving staff to the Lagos office to streamline operations and make them more effective and reduce cost is a normal prerogative of management.
“The problem we have now is that many employees are children of politically exposed persons and their Abuja life and businesses are more important than the CBN work.
“The CBN is just an address for them, and if they have to choose between their spoilt Abuja life and the job, they would gladly leave the CBN.
“All the more reason for the Governor to put his foot down and get rid of those elements. They are dangerous to the bank’s future.
“The question of locating functions is a strategic, and not tactical one.”
A proper analysis should be done to identify which roles are best suited to Lagos, and which to Abuja. Once the logic is clear, the people then follow. Non-communication of strategic intent opens the door to mischievous misrepresentation and arbitrariness.
“I don’t like the idea of arguing that the office structure cannot handle the staff number. I am sure Julius Berger would refute that if they wanted to engage.”
On how the relocation of staff should be done, the ex-monarch suggested: “Individual situations should be considered. As much as possible, we should be empathetic. For example young mothers with kids in school, who do not need to move, can be prioritised to stay in Abuja or those with medical conditions etc.”
He advised the CBN not to succumb to political pressure. Sanusi went on: “My advice to the Governor is to go ahead with his policy. Once the CBN starts bending to political pressure on one thing, it will continue doing so.
“Northern politicians will shout. Abuja is a federal capital, not a northern issue. So long as this is a principled decision, the noise should be ignored. When I was about to license Jaiz Bank, there was a lot of religious noise from CAN, etc. Even enlightened people like Okey Emelamah were going to sue me in court on religious grounds. I ignored and licensed the bank. Nothing happened.
“A Christian Governor after me licensed at least two more non-interest banks. No one is even noticing again.
“Ethnic and religious bigots will always shout. The CBN should rise above it and just do what needs to be done. It is a very unpopular and difficult job, and the Governor needs to be tough.”
BESIDES, Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has responded to his Kogi West colleague, Sunday Karimi, stating that it is unpatriotic not to tell President Bola Tinubu the truth about happenings in the country. This is coming just as erstwhile presidential spokesman, Dr Doyin Okupe, withdrew his criticism against Ndume, noting that the latter was misunderstood.
The CBN and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had announced relocating critical departments to Lagos. Their plans elicited condemnations from different quarters, especially from Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Northern Senators Forum.
But speaking on a live programme, Ndume, who is representing Borno South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, said President Tinubu was ill-advised by “Lagos boys” in the corridors of power.
“All these Lagos boys, who are thinking that Lagos is Nigeria, are just misinforming and advising the President wrongly,” he was quoted as saying.
Okupe and Karimi, who had earlier distanced themselves from the Borno lawmaker’s stance, yesterday, backtracked, stating that Ndume meant well for the country. Okupe was quick to state that he is impressed with Ndume’s disposition, candour and loyalty to the ruling party and Mr President.
But responding to Karimi’s remarks, the Borno native explained that he did not speak on behalf of northern senators or the Senate, but as a northerner in support of majority of northerners and some Nigerians, who are against the decisions by CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, and Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.
On the other hand, Okupe, in a post on his official X (Twitter) account, @doyinokupe, said he spoke with Ndume for about 30 minutes, and was impressed by his sense of reasoning.
His tweet: “Sen Ndume @Malindume called me & we spoke candidly 4 more than 30mins. I am impressed by his disposition, candour and loyalty to his party and Mr President.
“He means well, but obviously there are lapses in the Presidency that have not engendered better consultations on policies. He has my respect.”
