Tinubu’s Govt Not Hijacked By Cabal — APC Fires Back At Dalung
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung, rejecting his claims that President Bola Tinubu’s government is hijacked by a powerful cabal.
APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, questioned Dalung’s credibility and competence during his time in government.
“Who is Dalung? What was his scorecard when he served as a minister? He clearly lacks the intellectual depth to engage in matters of governance,” Basiru said.
Dalung had, in an interview with The PUNCH, insisted that the Tinubu administration had been taken over by a cabal from the beginning.
“From the time I met Tinubu as an aspirant to the moment he was elected, I knew we would end up exactly where we are today,” he said.
“Just days before his inauguration, I was with some Yoruba elders and warned them that Tinubu’s government had already been hijacked by a sophisticated cabal. They accused me of harbouring hatred toward him, but I was simply telling the truth,” he added.
Dalung pointed to the removal of fuel subsidy on inauguration day as one of the signs of the alleged takeover.
“There was no cabinet in place, just the President and Vice President, yet a major economic policy—the removal of subsidy—was announced. That decision alone triggered a chain reaction: fuel prices soared, the cost of living skyrocketed, transportation, school fees—everything became more expensive,” he said.
He likened himself to a biblical figure. “I foresaw this hardship. Like Prophet Jeremiah, I now sit in lamentation,” he said.
Asked if he saw similarities between Tinubu’s administration and that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Dalung said, “Buhari’s cabal was made up of inexperienced people. Many of them had no idea how to run a government. Tinubu’s cabal, on the other hand, is filled with experienced, cunning, and highly ambitious individuals. They are manipulative and far more sophisticated.”
In his response, Basiru described Dalung’s claims as unfounded.
“What cabal is he talking about when the National Assembly is there? His analysis is not only lazy but also devoid of substance. It’s hard to dignify such ignorance with a serious response,” Basiru said.
He accused Dalung of harbouring bitterness over the 2023 elections.
“People like him are still traumatised by the outcome of the last election. No matter what the administration does, they remain blind to the progress being made. They are determined to see nothing work, even when the evidence is clear,” he said.
“As Mr President has made clear, we will not be distracted by armchair critics. Those who are dissatisfied should meet us at the ballot box.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
