Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has warned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot escape judgment from the Nigerian people in 2027, regardless of political defections or manipulations.
In a hard-hitting interview, Dalung criticised the president for what he called the “weaponisation of hunger, poverty and hardship,” saying Tinubu had clearly positioned himself against the masses.
“Tinubu is the only president who has drawn a battle line between himself and the Nigerian people by deliberately making life harder for them. And he shows no remorse,” Dalung said.
He dismissed the recent wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, as meaningless. According to Dalung, such moves are driven by fear, not popular support.
“People are defecting to the APC not because they believe in Tinubu but because they want protection,” he said. “The APC has become a shelter for people running away from justice. It is a conclave of sinners.”
Dalung added that even if all 36 state governors joined the APC and Tinubu’s son, Seyi, were made chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it wouldn’t stop the masses from voting in 2027.
“Even if Tinubu appoints his son to head INEC, he will still have to face Nigerians. The people are tired. They are hungry. They are angry,” he said.
He also criticised what he described as the president’s lavish lifestyle, saying Tinubu, his wife, and son continue to spend recklessly while asking Nigerians to make sacrifices.
On Nigeria’s democracy, Dalung raised fears of growing authoritarianism. “One day, some reckless lawmakers might try to make him life president,” he warned.
Speaking on the formation of a new political coalition involving top figures like Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai, Dalung said this one appears different.
“This coalition is gaining real support from the poor masses. They are suffering and looking for a way out,” he said.
He compared the unity among the coalition members to the temporary alliance of enemies in the Bible who came together to crucify Jesus. “They may not like each other, but they are united by a common goal — to bring down the current system,” Dalung said.
