Solomon Dalung, Nigeria’s former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, has voiced his criticism of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), asserting that the party lacks a clear political philosophy to address the country’s challenges.
In an interview with Arise TV, Dalung expressed admiration for President Bola Tinubu but emphasized the need for honesty about the state of affairs in Nigeria. He argued that the APC has failed to provide a credible mandate to Nigerians, citing the party’s shifting slogans from ‘change’ in 2015 to ‘change begins with you’ and ‘Next Level’ in subsequent years.
Dalung pointed out the absence of a distinct political covenant that the APC is committed to, leading to discomfort and frustration. He criticized the “Renewed Hope” narrative, claiming that the country has not seen the promised improvement. While acknowledging his admiration for President Tinubu, he stressed the importance of facing the truth and holding leaders accountable.
Dalung expressed concerns about the current state of the country, highlighting escalating frustrations and the disconnect between the presidency and the genuine concerns of the people. He criticized the president’s advisers for prioritizing image protection over addressing pressing issues, pointing out a tendency to bully those expressing legitimate concerns.
Regarding the National Security Adviser, Dalung accused him of playing a blame game and suggested a lack of accessibility to alternative opinions within the presidency. He called for a focus on tackling issues rather than deflecting blame.
While acknowledging his own failures during his time in the past government, Dalung called on President Buhari to concentrate on addressing the issues facing the country and avoid playing the blame game. He expressed readiness to face consequences for his role in the government, admitting to the failure of promises made during Buhari’s administration.
