The De Renaissance Patriots Group has raised concerns over the representation and marginalisation of Lagos State indigenes in federal appointments, particularly within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The group, in a press statement, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to address the issues and ensure fair treatment for Lagos indigenes in his administration.
The statement was signed by Prince Adelani Adeniji-Adele, President of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, and Mr. Yomi Tokosi, Secretary General of the foundation.
In the statement, the group clarified the misconception that President Tinubu has shown nepotism by favouring Lagos State in his appointments.
According to the group’s findings, most of the individuals referred to as “Lagos boys” are not actually from Lagos State. Instead, they hail from various other states.
The group identified only three appointees who are true indigenes of Lagos State: Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President; Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Principal Private Secretary to the President; and Mr. Yemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“We recognize two personal aides of the President as bonafide indigenes of our state,” the statement read.
“Their appointments are not subjected to any constitutional provision that stipulates spread as in Federal Character.”
The group emphasized that Lagos State has not unduly benefited from the current administration and called on President Tinubu to treat Lagos indigenes fairly in future appointments.
The De Renaissance Patriots Group also highlighted the issue of representation in the NNPC.
They pointed to the disparity in the regional distribution of NNPC’s chief executives, citing a statement by Obiuwevbi Ominimini, National Chairman of the Urhobo Oil and Gas Nationality. Ominimini had noted that out of the 55 chief executives in the NNPC, 36 are from Northern Nigeria, while only 16 represent the entire Southern region.
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