Sanusi clarifies statement on CBN relocation
The 14th emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido, has clarified his viral comment on the brouhaha stirred by the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to relocate some of its departments to Lagos from Abuja. Northern leaders including senators have voiced their opposition to the move.
But Sanusi has rather backed the bank’s move in a bid to safeguard its independence.
Sanusi was reported to have said that the CBN could relocate to Lagos. But in his clarification that implied he might have been misreported, Sanusi told TheCable that he rather said that the Apex bank has the power to relocate its staff.
“My advice to the governor (Olayemi Cardoso) is to go ahead with his policy. Once the CBN starts bending to political pressure on one thing, it will continue doing so,” Sanusi said in his earlier statement.
He also said: “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 get my license at Jaiz Bank there was a lot of religious noise from CAN, etc. Even enlightened people like Okey Emelamah were going to sue me in court on religious grounds. I ignored it and licensed the bank. Nothing happened.
According to the former CBN, a Christian governor after him licensed at least two more non-interest banks.
“No one is even noticing again. Ethnic and religious bigots will always shout. The CBN should rise above it and just do what needs to be done. It is a very unpopular and difficult job and the Governor needs to be tough.
“In my mind, what I would have done was to move FSS and most operations to Lagos such that the two Deputy Governors would be largely operating out of Lagos or, even if they were more in Abuja, the bulk of their operational staff would be in Lagos.
“Economic policy, Corporate services, and all the departments reporting to the governor directly such as strategy, audit, risk management, governors’ office, etc., would remain in Abuja.
“It makes eminent strategic sense. And I would have done this if I had stayed.”
