By DAYO ADESULU
Dalung Describes the Rise of a Powerful Cabal Post-2015 Election
Solomon Dalung, a former Minister of Youth and Sports, has shed light on the alleged influence of cabals in Nigeria’s governance. Speaking on the Mic On Podcast on Sunday, Dalung accused a powerful group of hijacking power shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari’s election victory in 2015, sidelining those who had campaigned for him.
“The Cabal Took Over From Day One”
Dalung recounted an incident immediately after Buhari was declared president:
“When the president was declared winner, I was with him in his office. I went to see him in the evening. That very day, I was blocked from going into his house… until I made calls to access him. From that day, the cabal had taken over,” he revealed.
According to Dalung, the group emerged “from nowhere” and sidelined individuals who had worked for Buhari’s victory. “These people, who understood power, took over and ran the government to their interest until eight years were gone,” he lamented.
Cabal Dynamics in Tinubu’s Administration
When asked about the current administration under President Bola Tinubu, Dalung remarked that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has become more complex.
“The APC has become a sophisticated, complex political architecture, more like a zoo,” he said, implying that cabals may still exist, albeit in a more organized form.
Rebuttal of CPC Cabal Claims
Dalung refuted suggestions that Buhari’s administration was controlled by a Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) cabal, pointing out that prominent CPC figures like Tanko Al-Makura were sidelined.
“The CPC did not succeed in having a cabal. Instead, the government was hijacked by people who were not politicians but ‘like bandits who laid an ambush’ immediately after Buhari’s victory,” he explained.
“They Are Wealthy and Powerful”
Dalung claimed that the cabal amassed significant wealth and influence over the years, warning Nigerians to expect their continued impact.
“They are very, very wealthy and powerful,” he said, hinting at their enduring presence in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Surviving Assassination Attempts
The former minister also revealed harrowing details of surviving over 10 assassination attempts during his political career.
“I’ve been into the struggle for 40 years… There was a time five people carrying AK-47s sprayed my car, and I am still alive,” Dalung recounted.
He also disclosed instances where his food was poisoned and ambushes were set, but he credited his survival to divine providence.
