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Josef Onoh, a former South-East spokesman to President Bola Tinubu, has debunked claims that President Bola Tinubu is relocating Nigeria’s capital to Lagos.
One Mohammed Bello Doka has reportedly in an opinion article presented a narrative of regional favoritism and stealth relocation of Nigeria’s capital through administrative and budgetary decisions.
Reacting in a statement, however, Onoh said that while concerns about equitable development are valid in a federation, Doka’s claims misrepresented facts.
The ex-chairman of a forum of former members of Enugu State House of Assembly said it was more painful that the wrong narrative was reposted and promoted by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai whom he said he has high respect for despite negative perceptions that surrounds him.
He added that it was more painful that the over-packed media handlers of President Tinubu have failed in positively defending and promoting his policies to Nigerians and the world as a whole in a respectful manner expected from the office of a President.
Onoh said that the allegation of relocation of FAAN headquarters is ludicrous and laughable because FAAN’s corporate headquarters was returned to Lagos in 2024 (its original location for decades) primarily for operational efficiency.
He said that over 60 percent of Nigeria’s air traffic is handled in Lagos, and the prior move to Abuja (under the previous administration) lacked adequate office space, leading to wasteful duty tour allowances and frequent flights for approvals.
Onoh said, “I personally engaged the Honourable Minister for Aviation during the uproar, over one year ago, and the Honourable Minister Festus Keyamo emphasized cost savings (over ₦450-500 million annually in travel expenses alone) and stakeholder consultations, including unions.”
