Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to President Bola Tinubu, has dismissed claims that the Tinubu-led administration is sidelining politicians loyal to former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking during an interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Dare addressed concerns about an alleged purge of the CPC bloc (Congress for Progressive Change) within the All Progressives Congress (APC) — popularly referred to as the ‘Buhari boys’ — in favor of Tinubu’s longtime allies, known as the ‘Lagos boys’.
Responding to the question of whether President Tinubu had systematically replaced Buhari loyalists with his own circle, Dare said:
“When a new government comes in—and this is constitutional—it’s the right of the president to build his cabinet. You can’t take that away. The first criteria for you to be appointed is that you are a Nigerian. It’s not whether you are a Tinubu boy or a Buhari boy.”
Pressed further on whether all major economic positions have been filled by individuals from Tinubu’s political circle, Dare explained:
“As a leader, you must also bring in lieutenants that you trust. When he was governor, he had people that served him, and over the years, they have been with him throughout the journey. I don’t think there is any deliberate attempt to sideline anyone.”
Dare emphasized that political appointees swear allegiance to the Nigerian Constitution, not to any particular leader.
“Any oath you take when you’re sworn in is not to any president, but to the Nigerian constitution and the Nigerian people,” he added.
His comments come amid growing speculation of internal division within the APC and perceptions of power consolidation by the Tinubu administration.
