In a decisive stand against the proposed relocation of vital projects, including the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport's refurbished airport rescue and firefighting vehicles initiative, the Katsina Elders' Forum has sent a strong message to President Bola Tinubu, cautioning him about the potential repercussions on Northern Nigeria's socio-economic landscape.
Addressing the media in Katsina after a closed-door meeting, Aliyu Mohammed, the Secretary of the forum, expressed deep concern over the decision to move critical projects to the southern part of the country. He disclosed that the contractor for the airport project had officially written to the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, seeking relocation based on reasons the forum deemed as 'flimsy.'
Mohammed, in no uncertain terms, accused certain individuals of ill-advising President Tinubu, branding them as "enemies of Nigeria" who, he alleged, aimed to undermine the country's unity by relocating crucial departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to the South.
"Therefore, we are telling Mr. President, as long as he is interested in coming back in 2027, as long as he is interested in the votes of the Northerners, to reverse these unconstitutional decisions. Whoever is advising him to take such decisions is an enemy of the country," declared Mohammed.
The forum did not shy away from naming the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of aligning with the federal government's plan to relocate these pivotal projects. Mohammed went further to assert, "The FCT Minister is inviting the Israelis to come and provide security to Abuja."
Emphasizing the pressing need for President Tinubu to prioritize addressing the escalating security challenges in the North, the forum criticized his focus on relocating projects that are deemed as potential economic boosters for the region.
Mohammed urged Tinubu to reconsider his decisions, highlighting that the North was not prepared to support him in the 2027 elections if critical departments were moved to Lagos amidst the prevailing insecurity in the region. The Katsina Elders' Forum's warning adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate surrounding the proposed relocation, injecting political implications that could reverberate into the upcoming elections.
