Yekini Nabena, a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, is urging the relocation of key government agencies to regions rich in raw materials and natural endowments.
Nabena specifically calls for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to be moved to the Niger Delta region.
Additionally, he suggests relocating the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, steel development, trade, and investment to states such as Benue, Kogi, and Kano, where abundant raw materials align with the respective ministries’ functions.
Nabena’s call comes amid controversies surrounding the purported relocation of part of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos State for enhanced operational efficiency.
Referring to past debates in the Nigerian Senate, Nabena highlights the Senate’s previous calls for International Oil Companies (IOCs) to relocate their headquarters to the Niger Delta. He accuses powerful interests in Lagos of obstructing this move for personal gain.
Expressing disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s silence on the relocation issue, Nabena emphasizes the symbolic importance of federal agencies in maintaining Nigerian unity. He urges clarity from the presidency on the real reasons behind the proposed relocations.
Challenging the efficiency argument put forth for relocating agencies to Lagos, Nabena proposes that agencies like NNPCL, NIMASA, and NPA could be more effective in Bayelsa, Rivers, or Delta states. Similarly, he suggests moving the Federal Ministry of Mine and Steel to Kogi state, where Ajaokuta Steel is located, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to Benue State, known as the nation’s food basket.
Expressing concern over the National Assembly’s silence on ongoing developments, Nabena questions the source of funds and Christmas gifts distributed, including the Betta Edu scandal. He calls on the 10th Assembly leadership to transparently disclose the origins of the shared funds and gifts, emphasizing the need for accountability and public awareness.
