Former Youth and Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, has claimed that the cabals surrounding President Bola Tinubu are more dangerous than those in the government of his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari.
Dalung made the claim during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday.
Dalung, who was a minister during Buhari’s administration, said Buhari was a stranger in his government as members of the cabals took over the running of the administration.
The erstwhile Minister explained that the cabals in Buhari’s government were not too educated but those in Tinubu’s are sophisticated, ambitious, educated, with sound knowledge of power dynamics.
Dalung cited the capacity of members of the cabals around Tinubu to manipulate power, build barricades around the president, and stifle information and human traffic from the president.
In July 2024, Tinubu, who narrowly won a keenly contested election in February 2023, and was sworn in on May 29, 2023, said he was not answerable to any cabal or moneybag.
Meanwhile, Dalung, has said Tinubu meant the words he said to National Assembly members during the 2025 budget presentation.
Naija News reported that President Tinubu while addressing the Joint Session of the federal lawmakers, described the 10th NASS as 11th NASS.
When his orderly and chorus voices of the lawmakers reminded him he was addressing the 10th NASS, he said he wrote 11th.
His words: “In fulfillment of one of my constitutional duties and with unyielding commitment to rebuilding Nigeria towards ensuring that we remain steadfast on the journey to a prosperous future, I hereby present the 2025 budget to the joint session of the 11th National Assembly… 10th? I wrote 11th…. which means you are all re-elected (sic).”
Reacting to the words of the President in an interview with News Central, Dalung claimed that Tinubu disclosed to Nigerians what would happen in 2027.
The former Minister, argued that Nigerians may not be able to change the current government in 2027. He also added that governors across the 36 states may have solidified their chances in 2027 through the way local government elections were conducted.
“When he said all of you are just re-elected, that is not just a joke, The President is telling Nigerians about what will happen in 2027. And I have said this a couple of times that.
‘I don’t think from the attitude of this government and the way the governors have conducted the local government elections, Nigerians should look forward to 2027 to change anything because the President has just confirmed that they were only going to announce themselves return to power. So congratulations Mr President,” Dalung stated.