The former Director General of Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organization, Doyin Okupe, has berated the Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Senator Ali Ndume, for alleging that some ‘Lagos political cartel’ are behind the planned relocation of certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos.
The Senator had made the comment while speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday.
The Senator had said President Bola Tinubu is being misinformed by some “Lagos boys” in the corridors of power to approve the planned relocation, which he termed as wrong decision.
“All these Lagos boys who are thinking that Lagos is Nigeria are just misinforming and advising the President wrongly,” the Senator had said.
“Those political cartels that are in the corridors of power are trying to misinform the President and we will tell the President. The President will take action.
“They are not doing any favour to Mr President because this will have political consequences,” he added.
But reacting in a statement on Wednesday, Okupe described the Senator’s pronouncement as a provocative one, unexpected of a politician of his pedigree and position in the Nigerian polity.
He said, “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 installation and institutions be domiciled in the North? Or the Nigerian Port authority and the Nigerian Custom 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 Good luck 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 Good luck 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 one of the leaders of this great nation,” Dr Okupe added.
