Ali Ndume, the chief whip of the senate, has reiterated his position on the proposed relocation of key government offices to Lagos, as reported by The Cable News.
Notably, Ndume emphasized that his stance on the potential move of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and specific Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) offices to Lagos was rooted in factual considerations rather than personal motives, even though he has a child employed at the CBN.
Last week, Ndume faced criticism for warning against the relocation, citing potential “political consequences.”
This drew disapproval from various quarters, including former presidential aide Doyin Okupe and Senator Sunday Karimi, who distanced the senate from Ndume’s remarks.
Despite the backlash, Ndume remained steadfast, emphasizing his statements were driven by patriotism and urging focus on the substantive aspects of the issue rather than individual connections.
Despite initial opposition, Okupe later acknowledged Ndume’s intentions for the country’s well-being, highlighting a recognition of the senator’s commitment to the national interest despite differences in opinion.
‘I SPOKE THE TRUTH’
Speaking with TheCable on Monday, Ndume said his comments that there would be political consequences were the truth.
He said:
“Even if my ward is working in CBN, is she the only person that is going to be transferred to Lagos? There are hundreds of people that they planned to move to Lagos.
Whenever an issue like this crops up, instead of addressing the issue, the people and some of the reporters will now concentrate on the messenger, not the message.