Former APC Official Alleges Secret Plan to Transfer Federal Capital from Abuja to Lagos
Comrade Timi Frank, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has leveled serious accusations against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, claiming there is a covert strategy to relocate Nigeria's federal capital from Abuja to Lagos. Frank issued these allegations in a strongly worded statement on Monday, March 23, 2026, warning that such a move could severely undermine national unity and exacerbate existing regional divisions.
Allegations of Regional Favoritism and National Imbalance
Frank asserted that President Tinubu's administration has been implementing "deliberate and calculated" policies that disproportionately favor Lagos at the expense of other regions. He pointed to what he describes as a pattern of key government policies, investments, and agreements being increasingly concentrated in Lagos, suggesting this is part of a long-term agenda to consolidate political and economic influence in the southwestern state.
"Nigeria needs a leader who is fair to all regions. We do not need a president who appears one-sided, but one who ensures equitable distribution of opportunities, infrastructure, and governance," Frank declared in his statement. He further claimed that Tinubu's federal appointments and development initiatives have been skewed in a manner that threatens the delicate balance of Nigeria's federal structure.
Warnings of Deepening Divisions and Historical Context
The former APC chieftain expressed grave concerns that President Tinubu's alleged approach could erode national cohesion and deepen existing fault lines across the country. Frank went so far as to accuse the current administration of entrenching nepotism beyond levels witnessed during former President Muhammadu Buhari's tenure, suggesting a dangerous precedent for regional favoritism in national governance.
Frank's allegations come against the backdrop of recent relocations of certain government agency operations to Lagos, including departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). While the presidency has previously denied any plans to move the capital, Frank insists these moves signal a broader strategy that could culminate in the actual transfer of the federal capital if Tinubu secures a second term in office.
Presidency's Previous Denials and Constitutional Considerations
Recall that the presidency has categorically denied reports about plans to relocate the nation's capital to Lagos. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, previously stated that such rumors originated during the 2023 election cycle and have no basis in reality. Onanuga explained that the movement of some CBN departments and FAAN headquarters to Lagos was purely for operational efficiency and not indicative of any capital relocation plans.
Former Senator Shehu Sani has also weighed in on similar rumors, noting that relocating Nigeria's capital would require a rigorous constitutional process that makes such a move "almost impossible." Sani suggested that in the past, the concentration of government agency headquarters has sometimes been politically motivated based on the interests of those in power, but actual capital relocation involves far more complex legal and procedural hurdles.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions regarding regional representation and resource distribution in Nigeria's federal system, with critics like Frank warning that perceived imbalances could threaten the country's fragile unity. As these allegations circulate, they raise important questions about how Nigeria's leadership balances regional interests with national cohesion in a diverse federation marked by historical tensions between different geographical zones.
