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“You’re making noise” – Sanusi blasts northern politicians as he supports plan to move CBN departments to Lagos

Published

3 months ago

January 25, 2024

Former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, has said Northern politicians are making “noise” over the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to move some of its department from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to Lagos State.

Sanusi said the relevant authorities should ignore the noise by Northern politicians because Abuja as a federal capital is not a Northern issue.

Recall that there have been criticisms in some quarters since the CBN announced the relocation of some departments and units to Lagos.

Some northern politicians kicked against the move, warning it would have political consequences.

But Sanusi, who was 14th Emir of Kano, in a statement backed the move by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to move some of its departments from Abuja to Lagos and said the relocation is an “eminently sensible move”.

Sanusi urged the CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso, to consider mothers with kids and those with medical issues while relocating the departments to Lagos.

Sanusi said: “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.

“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 that this is moving from Abuja to Lagos. 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 to court on religious grounds. I ignored it and licenced the bank. Nothing happened.

“A Christian Governor after me licenced at least two more non-interest banks. No one is even noticing again.”