SPEAKING NOTES AS A DISCUSSANT AT THE 2017 COMMEMORATION OF MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT FROM LAGOS TO ABUJA By Ayokunle FAGBEMI1

Center for Peacebuilding and Socio-Economic Resources Development, Abuja

THEME: FROM DODAN BARRACKS TO ASO VILLA

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

 December 12, 2017 is the twenty-sixth (26th) anniversary of the relocation of the seat

Of the Federal Government of Nigeria to Abuja from Lagos in 1991 during the administration

Of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida GCFR, then President, Commander-in-Chief of the

Armed Forces of Nigeria. I can easily recall the memories of that period for many reasons

That include being a product of both the Benin and Ibadan Political Science schools, and the

Nature of my official schedules (from 1988) as a Research Staff of the then Directorate of

Social Mobilization, The Presidency (MAMSER). More emphatically, I can recall it because

on December 18 we had our first child, at the Wuse General Hospital exactly six days after President Babangida formally relocated to Abuja from Lagos. Commentaries already abound

on the epochal event of the relocation and as such, I shall only attempt to draw attention to

some aspects of that exercise from an Echoes (focal) point of view. The adopted Echoes

Approach will allow us reflect on the rationale for the relocation, consequences – intended

And unintended, assess the status in the implementation of the relocation plan and the

Issues that the relocation was designed to overcome but remain germane.

The organizers of this event, FCT Archives and History Bureau, have done noble in the choice

Of the “Theme: From Dodan Barracks to Aso Villa”. The exhibition focus on “Echoes and

Images” has helped them in overcoming any accusations that ordinarily may have emerged

By using “Aso Villa” instead of “State House” because the immediate echo sound of the

Relocation is that of the change from a military psyche orientation labeling preparatory to a

Democratic orientation. The official name of the seat of FGN in Abuja being “State House,

The Presidency” is a daily echo sounding or vibration and reflection that reinforce and

Herald the political direction for Nigeria. Nigeria where regime change shall always be by

Democratic choices based on the rule of law and devoid of military imposition or coercion

Using force accentuated by the barrel of gun to institutionalize political governance by

Military dictatorship.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it should interest you to note that whereas, as

Expected, for national security and defence reasons, particularly, to quarter the military the

1 Ayokunle Fagbemi graduated from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, 1987 with a Master of Science degree in International Relations (Study of Nigeria’s Military

Statecraft). His first degree, a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, 1985, (writing on the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) is from University of Benin, Nigeria. From

March 2005 – April 2008, amongst others, he served as a member of an organ of the African Union, the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC); an active

Participant in the ECOWAS Peace Exchange Forum and a committed member of the West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) – served as the Coordinator for Nigeria

(July 2008 – August 2009). He has local and international working experience is from governmental and non-governmental sectors in research for program planning and

Project management, broadcasting, monitoring and evaluation, preventive peacebuilding, governance, development planning and financial management, personnel

Management and development, capacity strengthening, post-conflict peacebuilding, coordination and implementation of projects and programs. He has acquired considerable

Civil Society based experience as a development worker with a strong interest in preventive peacebuilding. As a Conflict Mitigation Specialist with interventions to promote

sustainable peace, his prowess in Early Warning Early Response Mechanism within the West Africa sub region is worthy of note, accounting for his serving as Consultant

To the GIZ sponsored ECOWAS Study on the introduction of National Early Warning Mechanisms and Systems for Member States (August 2011 – May 2012). A seasoned

Facilitator cum researcher Fagbemi undoubtedly has participated practically in conflict analysis and peacebuilding activities in Nigeria and some other African countries

Including Bourkina-Fasso, Cameroun, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia.

Barracks are located outside the Three-Arms Zone separated by the ten-lane outer ring road.

However, the State Security Services HQ is within and in close proximity to the State House,

Emphatically as an Annex. The Nigerian Police Force HQ, labelled Louis Edet2 House, being

Strategically located to shield the Three-Arms Zone and interface with the Central Business

District of Abuja.

In other words, my primary relocation echo is the relinquishing of military orientation in

The naming of the seat of government, that is, from Dodan Barrack to State House. I

Appreciate that the first sets of occupants being military did not facilitate the seamless use

Of the phrase State House hence the adoption of the nickname Aso Villa after the rock across

The ring road within the immediate reach of the military barracks in continuation of military

Tradition.

RECURRING ECHOES

In this section of my discussion, I shall attempt to highlight some issues that will help

Underscore the rationale for the expeditious relocation to Abuja from Lagos. This we shall

Do, reflecting on the rationale for the relocation, consequences – intended and unintended,

Assessing the status in the implementation of the Abuja Master Plan 3 (Including the relocation plan). I hope to cover some of the issues that have continued to remain germane

Within a framework that attempts to present the human angles of this relocation to

Reinforce some often-presented justifications and arguments that have continued to

Challenge the movement.

1. Rationale and Background of the Relocation: To the adept scholars, the strategic

Consideration and expediency for moving the seat of the FGN from Lagos are rooted

In post-colonial and independence sociopolitical dynamics that were fractured and

Accentuated by the unfortunate coups of 1966 and the embers of Nigeria (-Biafra)

Civil War. In simple terms, relocation out of Lagos emerged as an expedient political

Move deeply rooted in national security considerations, cloaked with integrated

National development and political correctness. The strategic thinking emanated

From lessons learned from the 1967 – 70 war, recalling those from the aftermath and

The ease of abduction and killing of Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and others like

Ministers of Defence, Ribadu and Finance, Okoti-Eboh, in Lagos. This meant there

Was an urgent need to review the location of the seat of government to that which

Can have national security and defence as the utmost consideration. Thus, the search

For a new location commenced earlier than the Justice Akinola Aguda Committee

Setup by the General Murtala Mohammed administration, that is, immediately after

The civil war, which actually correlates to the service era of General (Dr.) Yakubu

Gowon GCFR.

The national security challenges/dynamics (1966 – 90) manifesting as series of coups

And military maneuvers to outwit and overthrow successive military regimes later

Underscored the rationale for the expeditious relocation. So, the motivation for the

2. The name of the first indigenous Inspector General of Nigeria Police Force.

3. Designed by Messrs. International Planning Associates. There are divergent views that the plan appear deficient in being reflective of the deep sociology and cultural

Realities of Nigerians. These deficiency scholars argue has contributed to the ease with which the distortions in Abuja have continued to occur.

Identification of another location other than Lagos, we must confess and

Acknowledge was rooted in the Politics of Regime Legitimacy and Stability. The

Assassination of General Murtala Mohammed on his way to work in Lagos gave the

Required security consideration and self-preservation push to the successive heads

Of government, Messrs. Olusegun Obasanjo and Shehu Shagari who accelerated the

Paperwork and implementation by awarding contracts to commence the relocation.

The successful capture and overthrowing of the incumbent President and Head of

State respectively on December 31, 1983 and August 27, 1985 during military coups

Nearly marred the consideration of Abuja as a valid “Safe Haven”.

Thus, at the point of relocation, as we now know it, General Ibrahim Babangida had

To rework the Abuja Master Plan to enhance National Security, correlating it solely

With the security of the incumbent. This was because of the lessons learned from the

Major Gideon Orkar Coup of April 22, 1990 that claimed the life of his Aide-de-Camp

(ADC), Lt. Colonel UK Bello.

2. Political and Economic Considerations of Relocation

The official rationale adduced for the search in the Terms of Reference (ToR)

Disclosed on August 9, 1975 at constituting the Justice Akinola Aguda Committee set

In motion series of political and economic echoes and twists. The Aguda Committee

ToR remain a clear manifestation of “working from an answer to the question”. The

ToR included suggestive phrases like “to advise on the desirability or otherwise of

Lagos as a Federal Capital Territory”; and should “the Committee find that Lagos is

Incapable of retaining the role, to recommend which of the two governments

(Federal or State) should move to a new location” when the expected outcome was already predetermined.

We say predetermined outcome because of another ToR, which specifically provided

For an eventuality “that the Committee finds that the Federal Government should

Move out of Lagos, to recommend suitable alternative location having regards to easy

Accessibility, to and from every part of the country”. That is, amidst the Federal

Military Government (FMG) giving reasons for the unsuitability of Lagos as the

Continued Federal Capital Territory. The reasons adduced against Lagos included (i)

Duality of status of Lagos as both State and Federal Capital; (ii) Lack of expandable

Land; (iii) Vulnerability to external aggression congestion; and (iv) Intractable traffic

Congestion. Other reasons are housing and environmental issues; remoteness of

Lagos from most parts of the country and emphatically, the domination by a major

Ethnic group.

The accelerated relocation meant short delivery time for infrastructural development

In the identified “virgin land”, Abuja, terse, an increase in the cost of governance

Services delivery because of duplication and multiplication caused by breach of

Bureaucratic procedures and dysfunctional application of legal and policy

Frameworks.

 The breaching of the many governance policy procedures have led scholars and analysts to conclude or associate the IBB Era with Corruption. The introduction and implementation of Decree 48 of 1988 further accentuated the challenges because new entrants to the federal public services (from the states or private sector) treated files devoid of the wealth of diligent compliance with procedures since many officials originally based in Lagos were not initially excited about relocating to Abuja. This equally created schisms in the human relationships

Amongst public servants because of the sharp contrasts caused by ethno cultural and

Religious differences. Thereby creating the echo of public servants relating negatively

Along ethnic and religious cleavages instead of the disciplined organizational

Hierarchical order based on rules of procedures for approved channels of

Communication.

3. Relocation Dynamics and Humanitarian Challenges: This manifested partly as

Residential accommodation and logistics for relocated staff. A number of Ministries,

Departments and Agencies (MDAs) ended up placing personnel in shared houses,

Apartments or flats after staying in hotels became very expensively burdensome on

Official resources. The squatting of those whose organizations could not provide

Accommodation in such shared facilities further complicated this unfortunate reality.

In some cases, senior officers shared or even had to squat with their juniors in the

Same or another MDA. In rare cases, officers of opposite gender were lumped

Together. I must not forget to highlight that 1980 – 93 the available official quarters

For some MDAs were located in Suleja, Niger State.

Another echo had to do with those emanating from the cries of victims of road traffic

Accidents (RTAs) that claimed the lives of many, left others permanently

Incapacitated or depleted national resources and assets due to frequency of travels

By public servants who had to shuttle between Abuja and Lagos or other locations

For official reasons or family considerations. The cases of RTAs equally took tolls on

Public servants, officials of MDAs, contractors and vendors who daily commuted from

Suleja daily. Some RTAs involving the heavy-duty trucks and equipment of the

Construction companies executing infrastructural development projects claimed the

Lives of many. The inhumane way of transporting low-level workers by the

Construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, later attracted sanctions from and

Enforcement of rules by the FCT Administration.

4. Psychosocial and Sociocultural Dynamics and Family Life: Echoes emerging from the

Initial unwillingness to relocate to Abuja, challenging accommodation system and

Absence of nuclear family for serving officials of the various MDAs were the

Unquantifiable and improperly documented psychosocial and sociocultural negative

Dynamics on family life. This led to traumatic stress disorders in some individuals

Manifesting as severe health conditions of hypertension, diabetes, etc. Some other

Echoes emanated from painful dysfunctional family issues of rebellious and truant

Children due to absent father figures or culture clashes, increased promiscuity and

Extra marital affairs manifesting as “marchelors” and “spinsters”.

These culminated into spiking and prevalence of HIV/AIDS; legitimacy questions around

Children born out of “escapades”; and widowhood challenges. All these are still

Manifesting in the increased number of divorce and inheritance cases, carryon health

Challenges and attendant strain on healthcare services, and a youth bulge from

Dysfunctional homes that are prone to crime and criminality.

5. Security Dynamics and Management: We recall that the motivation triggers for the

Relocation by Military President Ibrahim B. Babangida had to do with national security

Considerations of spontaneous reactions to the 1990 (Major Gideon Orka) Coup Saga.

The administration through media blitz justified the timing and inevitability as an

Accelerated product of integrated national development through shared vision and

Sense of belonging by all ethnic nationalities in reaction to some elements of the

Orkar Coup Speech. Instinctively, the definition and operations of Nigeria’s National

Security gradually became synonymous as the security, protection of the incumbent

And the sustenance of his government. Thus leading to Weak Security Risk

Assessment in other areas even as the Three-arm zone became well-fortified.

6. Echoes from Skewed Development and Demographic Dynamics: The master plan

Detailing the evolution of the Federal Capital Territory as a twenty-first (21st) century

Urban development envisaged that all execution and implementation should occur in

Phases. That is, to meet the needs of a projected population of 3.1 million within and

Twenty-five (25) years developmental period under full development of the seventy-

Two (72) districts. A major recurrent echo being that of the seeming disconnect and

Inability of successive administrations to translate the master plan from design

Seamlessly through implementation phases to deliver the dream FCT. So, as we

Celebrate this 26th anniversary of the formal relocation we can only safely boast of

The delivery of eleven (11) of the original seventy-two districts, that is, an abysmal

Low performance record of about sixteen percent (16%). We shall avoid dabbling into

Computing this echo with the empirical reality of the 72 Districts increasing to 90

Districts (inclusive of Industrial Districts and 20 Sector Centers) because the

Performance score will degrade to about twelve percent (12%). Painfully, we do not

Have full implementation of these eleven districts as per the original plan. I am aware

That the original FCT Master Plan has undergone some reviews and that the during

The President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999 – 2007) efforts were made by the then

Minister in-charge of FCT, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to eliminate some of the discordant

Distortions in reality an unintended echo emerged from the many flyover bridges constructed, as part of Achievements, we can easily celebrate – the infrastructural development of Abuja FCT.

 It emerged as aftermath of the Daniel Kanu organized two-million-man march in

Support of the sustenance/perpetuating of General Sani Abacha in office as Head of

4 Married Bachelors.

5 Single or Married women playing the roles of a “Mistress” to well positioned men for survival e.g. accommodation and extra income or security of employment.

6 The legal and policy framework bases were captured partly in the Dissolution Order No 1 of Federal Executive Council dated December 31, 2004 that scrapped the MFCT,

Recreated FCTA with 5 Mandate Secretaries, expanded later to 7 (Education, Transport, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, SDS, Legal and ACSS). The order equally

Redefined the functions of the FCDA and created STDA.

State, Commander-in-Chief. Some scholars and analysts traced the spiking of

Militancy in the Niger Delta to the unfortunate awakening that there were many

Bridges in Abuja than in the delta region, the source of petrodollar used in

Prosecuting Abuja, FCT.

Other echoes that keep resonating are because of successive government’s inability

To conclude the mapping, documentation, effective resettlement and compensation

Of the original settlers in the FCT before the formal relocation date. This is hoping

That the efforts of the current administration should help silence completely the

Echoes emanating from the attendant issues.

In drawing attention to echoes emanating from population explosion to circa five (5)

Million from the projected, 3.1 million we can observe an excess of additional one

Hundred and sixty-two percent7

 The echoes include housing deficit of about two

Million, increased crime and criminality, overstretched healthcare services 8

Challenged transport system, emergence of slums in the neglected satellite

Communities and obvious disparities between contiguous communities outside

Abuja Phase 1, terse, city center e.g. between Mpape and Maitama or Gwarimpa and

Dawaki/Dutse-Alhaji which are just across the outer ring road network.

7. International Relationships and Diplomatic Practices: The hallmarks of the echoes

In this direction include the hosting of the ECOWAS (14th Session of the Authority of

HoS/G held July 4-6, 1991) and African Union (AU, then Organization of African Unity,

OAU, that is, the 27th Ordinary Session held June 3 – 5, 1991) Summits in Abuja FCT.

The FGN constructed the International Conference Center at about $10million for the

Purposes of hosting these summits. Many other International Summits and

Conferences have held in Abuja including Commonwealth (CHOGM) in 2003. Other

International events span other sectors as mere conferences, workshops and

Consultations, at the sports and youth development level the hosting of the 8th All

African Games culminated in the building of the Abuja National Stadium. These

Events resonated the echoes of weaknesses associated with accommodating

Delegations for which residential developments then under construction to aid the

Relocation ended up as the facilities used in hosting the delegations. It equally helped

In accelerating the Abuja Hospitality Businesses with the construction of hotels and

Guesthouses. The attendant echo of poor compliance with global tourism standards

Emerged with the ad hoc and emergency investors in this sector. We acknowledge

The efforts of the FCTA and the Nigerian Tourism Development Board to correct the

Emanated challenges. We wish them the best as they pursue the onerous tasks of

Bringing investors with complying.

8. Acceleration of Diplomatic Missions Operations in Abuja: The accelerated relocation

Of the seat of FGN to Abuja from Lagos meant that embassies and diplomatic missions

Needed to maintain official presence in Abuja. Most of these embassies and missions

7 According to UN, Abuja is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It grew by 139.7% between 2000 – 2010

8 Until the ingestion of private medical health facilities and services, the government owned structures as per the Master plan had become grossly inadequate. We urgently

Need to facilitate a well-concerted public – private – partnership (PPP) in the health sector.

By then had not constructed their facilities on the allocated plots of land in the

Appropriately designated locations. In securing takeoff facilities of their choices, they

Did so for their own strategic and tactical national interests. The seeming challenges

Of managing the transition of the movement we believe was overwhelming and did

Not allow the FGN consider the full implications of some of the choices made by these

Embassies and missions. Because if any adequate considerations or national security

Risks assessments were done then the location of the United States Embassy in

Properties on Aso Drive with proximity, too close, to the SSS Headquarter Complex

Still under construction and the State House Complex should have been denied. For

Students of intelligence and counterintelligence the history of the US Embassy at that

Location should remain a reechoing subject of national security concern always.

9. Corruption and the Relocation Echoes: Scholars and commentators have continued

To allude that the Babangida Administration it was that firmly established corruption

In Nigeria. Painfully, the dynamics of case studies and linkages to justify the assertion

Have always ended up with the dynamics of the relocation. That is, in terms of the

Seeming bastardization of public services ethics, principles, rules and procedures that

Allowed the ingestion of men and women that were not vast in the nuances of Public

Service Rules, Financial Regulations, etc. The increased personal and family needs of

Civil and public servants (coupled with the unhealthy competitive spirit) exacerbated

The primitive acquisition, demand for kickbacks and settlements from contractors

Some of which were equally proxy on behalf of the serving officials.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS AND WAY FORWARD

Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Participants, Kindly observe that I have chosen the trajectory

Of concentrating on Echoes associated with and emanating from the Movement of Seat of

Government from Lagos to Abuja from a perspective that should generate additional

Research, policy reassessment and proactive planning in the eventual implementation of the

Master plan. As parting short, I am requesting and encouraging the FCT Archives and History

Bureau to consider and secure the required approvals for collaborating with academic

(Tertiary) institutions of learning and research centers like ours Center for Peacebuilding and

Socio-Economic Resources Development (CePSERD) to conduct detailed subject specific

Studies on some of the highlighted echoes of this presentation.

Once more, accept our congratulatory wishes as we celebrate 26th Anniversary of the

Movement of the Seat of FGN from Lagos to Abuja. I am grateful for the extended invitation.

Thank you for listening and God Bless.

May GOD Almighty continue to Bless and Sustain the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Ayokunle FAGBEMI