The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum has strongly condemned recent moves by the federal government to relocate crucial departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria from Abuja to Lagos.
The organization expressed concerns about the potential ramifications of such decisions on Abuja’s status as the capital city and the nation as a whole.
AYCF President-General, Yerima Shettima, conveyed these concerns in a statement released to on Friday.
Shettima emphasized the significance of Abuja as the capital, chosen intentionally to foster national unity and decentralize power.
“Any agenda that seeks to tamper with this arrangement will be fiercely resisted by AYCF and its supporters.”
He highlighted the potential consequences of the proposed relocations, including undermining national unity, disrupting operations, causing economic setbacks, and perpetuating regional imbalances.
Shettima expressed disappointment with the complicit silence of the Northern elite regarding these provocations, stressing that silence in the face of threats to the political and economic viability of Northern Nigeria is unacceptable.
He stated, “The Northern elite must not be silent when the political and economic viability of Northern Nigeria is at stake, and well-meaning Nigerians should speak out against the emerging arbitrariness.”
AYCF urged relevant authorities to reconsider the proposed relocations, emphasizing the need to prioritize national unity and avoid actions that perpetuate regional imbalances or compromise the political and economic viability of Northern Nigeria.
Shettima also stated that the organization remains committed to its mission of promoting unity and development in Northern Nigeria and the nation as a whole, vowing to continue advocating for the preservation of Abuja’s status as the capital city and resisting any attempts to undermine national unity.
