Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has delivered a scathing assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing him of betraying Nigerians and presiding over an economic and political crisis.
Dalung also criticized the wave of defections into the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the ruling party as a “sanctuary for sinners” seeking protection from prosecution.
Speaking in an interview, Dalung said President Tinubu’s first two years in office have fallen far below expectations. He recalled that many Nigerians voted for Tinubu based on his performance as Governor of Lagos State, expecting him to replicate that success at the national level.
However, Dalung said Tinubu dashed public hopes from the outset by removing the fuel subsidy without adequate preparation.
“He removed the fuel subsidy without a government on ground,” Dalung said. “That statement of ‘subsidy is gone’ was quite reckless and unexpected of a leader who is familiar with governance.”
Dalung described the move as cowardly, arguing that Tinubu avoided open debate or scrutiny of the decision and failed to implement necessary support measures.
Defections Driven by Fear, Not Loyalty
Dalung also addressed the recent wave of endorsements and defections into the APC, particularly by governors and lawmakers from opposition parties. He said these actions were not genuine expressions of support for Tinubu’s leadership but were motivated by fear of legal consequences.
“There was a prophecy that once you join the APC, even if you’re a bandit or Boko Haram member, your sins will be forgiven,” he said. “It is a conclave of political cardinals who have committed grave sins against Nigerians and are seeking forgiveness.”
He argued that these endorsements lack real political value because they do not reflect the will of the people. According to him, most of the defectors did not consult their constituents before crossing over.
He pointed to the reception of a former Delta State governor in his village, where women reportedly confronted him and made it clear he no longer had their support.
Dalung stressed that these moves could backfire on the APC. He warned of a possible internal crisis, saying Tinubu may face a severe political backlash from the masses, regardless of how many governors join his party.
“Even if all 36 state governors defect and Seyi Tinubu is made INEC chairman, Tinubu will still battle the masses,” Dalung stated. “He has drawn a line between himself and the people by weaponising hunger and hardship.”
Coalition Against Tinubu Could Change 2027 Race
The former minister also spoke about the potential of a new coalition being formed by opposition politicians, including Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai. According to him, the coalition is different from past alliances and is gaining ground among the poor, who are suffering the most under Tinubu’s leadership.
“This coalition is unique because the President has declared himself the enemy of the poor,” Dalung said. “People are dying of hunger, poverty, and malnutrition.”
He said the suffering masses are looking for hope and an alternative to the present reality. If the coalition can unite around a single candidate, Dalung believes Tinubu will have a difficult re-election battle, possibly even worse than what former President Goodluck Jonathan faced in 2015.
“Even if Tinubu rolls out the power of Bourdillon, Nigerians will only take the money and vote against him,” he said.
Dalung described the opposition coalition as a union of strange bedfellows, comparing them to “Potiphar and Pontius Pilate”—united not by friendship but by a shared goal of removing a common adversary.
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