Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Selcap Dalung, has delivered a scathing verdict on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, declaring that the past two years have plunged Nigeria into unprecedented hardship and poor governance. In a no-holds-barred interview, Dalung accused the Tinubu-led government of impunity, corruption, marginalization, and economic mismanagement, warning that re-election in 2027 will be a herculean task.
Dalung, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, described the current administration as the worst in terms of transparency, accountability, and justice — the hallmarks of good governance.
“If I’m to score this government on good governance, they have performed poorly — less than 10 percent,” he said.
He lamented that the rule of law has been trampled upon, citing the handling of the political crisis in Rivers State as an example of executive impunity.
According to Dalung, President Tinubu has “suffocated” the rule of law.
“The cry is ‘I can’t breathe.’ Impunity has replaced the rule of law,” he said, referencing the rushed declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State without constitutional ratification or due process.
Dalung also criticized the administration for its alleged suppression of dissenting voices, stating that the arrest and prosecution of critics has become the norm.
Despite the removal of fuel subsidies and increased government revenue, Dalung argued that poverty has deepened to dangerous levels.
“Even during the civil war, Nigerians didn’t suffer like this,” he asserted. “People are dying of hunger. The government’s poverty reduction efforts are a sham.”
Dalung took aim at what he described as the administration’s exclusive and nepotistic approach to governance.
“This is not a democracy; it’s kakistocracy — government by the worst,” he said. “Appointments are lopsided. Associates and family members are prioritized while the country burns.”
He added that minorities have been further marginalized under Tinubu, and the country is now “more divided than ever.”
The former minister labeled the administration’s anti-corruption crusade as “a promotion of corruption.”
Citing the suspension of former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Dr. Betta Edu, over financial scandals involving over ₦72 billion, Dalung questioned the sincerity of the administration’s integrity claims.
“If you don’t have high corruption credentials, you can’t be appointed. This government is corruption-friendly,” he said, pointing to the lavish lifestyles of the president’s family members.
Dalung warned that President Tinubu’s re-election prospects are grim.
“He has declared war on the poor. Floating the Naira, increasing tariffs, and removing subsidies without alternatives — these are policies targeted at ordinary Nigerians,” he said. “Winning in 2027 will require a miracle.”
He predicted that, while attempts may be made to use money or “technical means” to secure victory, such moves could spark a national crisis.
Contrary to claims of regional bias, Dalung said northern dissatisfaction with Tinubu has little to do with his southern origin and everything to do with failed economic policies.
“The North supported him in 2023, but now, he has weaponized poverty and insulted the poor by living extravagantly. That’s why there’s distrust,” he explained.
Dalung mocked the wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), likening it to a “papal confession” for corrupt politicians seeking immunity from prosecution.
“Once you join APC, your sins are forgiven,” he quipped, adding that the defections have little grassroots impact as most defectors are “unpopular political sinners.”
He warned that these defections could eventually lead to an implosion within the APC as power tussles escalate.
As a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dalung confirmed ongoing coalition talks among opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
“There’s a tsunami of coalition building up. We are informed and connected to it,” he said, expressing optimism that change may be on the horizon.
Bottom Line: Solomon Dalung’s critique of the Tinubu administration is a reflection of mounting frustrations among Nigerians over rising poverty, alleged impunity, and perceived elite excesses. With 2027 in sight, the political temperature is rising — and the opposition is sharpening its knives.
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