- Katsina Elders’ Forum opposes relocation of key projects to the South, warns Bola Tinubu of potential loss in 2027 elections
- Secretary Aliyu Mohammed criticizes move, accuses certain individuals of undermining unity by relocating crucial departments to the South
The Katsina Elders’ Forum has strongly opposed the proposed relocation of crucial projects, including the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport’s firefighting vehicles project, to the southern part of the country. Expressing concern about the potential socio-economic impact on Northern Nigeria, the forum cautioned Bola Tinubu, warning that he risks losing support in the 2027 elections if the decision is not reconsidered.
Aliyu Mohammed, the Secretary of the forum, addressed the media in Katsina after a closed-door meeting, revealing that the contractor for the airport project had sought relocation from the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, citing reasons they deemed flimsy.
Mohammed accused certain individuals of misleading President Tinubu, branding them as enemies of Nigeria and attempting to undermine the country’s unity by relocating critical departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to the South.
“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 make such decisions is an enemy of the country,” warned Mohammed.
The forum also accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of aligning with the federal government’s plan to relocate critical projects. Mohammed stated, “The FCT Minister is inviting the Israelis to come and provide security to Abuja.”
Highlighting the pressing need for President Tinubu to address the security challenges in the North, the forum criticized the focus on relocating economic-boosting projects. Mohammed urged Tinubu to reconsider his decisions, emphasizing that the North would not be inclined to support him in the 2027 elections if critical departments were moved to Lagos amidst the prevailing insecurity in the region.