A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has strongly condemned the recent remarks made by former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, where he alleged that those who worked for the ruling party were sidelined while political positions were given to “Lagos boys.”

El-Rufai, in the BBC interview, also accused the APC government of deviating from its founding principles, alleging that positions were now being distributed based on favouritism rather than merit.

However, Mumuni’s reaction underscores growing discontent within the APC over El-Rufai’s statements, with party loyalists dismissing his claims as baseless and self-serving.

In a statement issued on Friday, the renowned security expert accused El-Rufai of making flippant and divisive statements that unfairly drag Lagos indigenes into his grievances.

According to him, “One needs to caution Mallam El-Rufai about his reckless statements. Although, we were together in the CPC before the formation of the APC, he should not drag Lagosians into his unfounded claims. Those he refers to as ‘Lagos Boys’ are not even the bonafide sons of the soil. They are individuals from other states who have merely lived in Lagos and remained loyal to the President for years. Hence, El-Rufai should be mindful of his utterances. I have no issue with him speculating about APC or the Tinubu government, but he should leave Lagos out of his rhetorics.”

The APC stalwart, who was actively involved in the party’s campaign security committee during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential election, questioned El-Rufai’s assertions, emphasizing that his contributions to the APC were undeniable.

According to him, “Some of us, who are bonafide Lagosians and worked tirelessly for the president’s election, have not been appointed to any positions. I was in the campaign crew and personally procured equipment from A to Z for the security committee where I served.

“Despite my contribution to the success of Asiwaju’s victory, you will not see me parading the presidency like some people. If the president finds me suitable for an appointment, I would gladly serve, but that time has not come yet. So, I will not allow a stranger to take me across my father’s compound.”

Mumuni further dismissed El-Rufai’s criticism of President Tinubu’s administration, asserting that the former Kaduna governor has no right to undermine the contributions of Lagos-based APC loyalists. (Nigerian Tribune)