The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has condemned recent moves by the Government to relocate key departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, saying that it will undermine jeopardize and erode national unity.
They explained that the relocations pose a significant threat to Abuja’s status as the federal capital city, and could have negative implications for the nation as a whole.
AYCF President General Yerima Shettima, in a statement on Friday (yesterday) raised concerns about the potential consequences that could arise from the relocations, if carried out, pointing out that “the move risks undermining national unity, disrupting operations, causing economic setbacks, and perpetuating regional imbalances.”
According to Shettima, “Abuja was deliberately chosen as the capital to promote national unity and decentralize power. Any agenda that seeks to tamper with this arrangement will be fiercely resisted by AYCF and its supporters.”
Besides, Shettima expressed “disappointment with the complicit silence of the Northern elite regarding these provocations.”
“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 this emerging arbitrariness.”
“The AYCF calls on the relevant authorities to reconsider these proposed relocations in light of the potential harm they may cause to Abuja’s status as the capital city and the nation as a whole.
“The organization urges decision-makers to prioritize national unity and ensure that any actions taken do not perpetuate regional imbalances or compromise the political and economic viability of Northern Nigeria”.
AYCF added that the it’s members will “remain committed to its mission of promoting unity and development in Northern Nigeria and the nation as a whole and vows to continue advocating for the preservation of Abuja’s status as the capital city and to resist any attempts to undermine national unity.”
