Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has revealed that a powerful cabal seized control of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration immediately following his 2015 electoral victory. Dalung, who served during Buhari’s first term, shared these insights during an appearance on the “Mic On Podcast” published on Sunday.
Describing the cabal as “a group of ambitious people who were also appointed by the same president to help him govern but they will run his presidency at their own expense and interest,” Dalung recounted an incident on the day Buhari was declared winner. He stated that he was initially blocked from entering Buhari’s residence, a place he had frequented during the campaign, until he made several calls to gain access. This experience, according to Dalung, signaled the cabal’s immediate takeover.
Dalung criticized the situation, noting that those who had genuinely worked for Buhari celebrated his victory, inadvertently leaving him vulnerable. In contrast, individuals who understood the dynamics of power swiftly took control, steering the government to serve their interests over the subsequent eight years.
Reflecting on the current administration under President Bola Tinubu, Dalung suggested that the dynamics have evolved, describing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as “more sophisticated” and likening it to a complex political architecture. He implied that similar power structures might be influencing the present government.
Dalung’s revelations shed light on the internal power struggles that have characterized Nigerian governance in recent years, highlighting the challenges of maintaining democratic ideals in the face of entrenched interests.
