Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the composition of its 2027 presidential campaign council, alleging that the list raises serious questions about the party’s commitment to fighting corruption and its preparedness to govern Nigeria.
Dalung made the remarks on Tuesday during an appearance on Arise TV’s Morning Show, where he discussed the 2027 election, the APC campaign council, corruption, fuel subsidy and the proposed state police system.
The former minister said the composition of the APC campaign council had generated concerns because some of the individuals listed had previously faced allegations, investigations or controversies relating to corruption.
According to him, the campaign council’s chairman, former Zamfara State Governor and Senator, Abdul’aziz Yari, had previously forfeited properties or funds to the Federal Government, while former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and former Director-General of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Kemi Nelson, had also been associated with corruption-related controversies.
Dalung argued that the presence of such individuals on a presidential campaign council should prompt Nigerians to question the type of government the APC intends to establish if President Bola Tinubu wins re-election in 2027.
He said the development could create the impression that individuals with corruption allegations or controversies surrounding them would be favoured for political appointments under a renewed Tinubu administration.
Dalung also welcomed the APC’s decision to review and reconstitute the campaign council, but said the need to withdraw and review the original list demonstrated a lack of preparedness.
> “It means it is a government of trial by error. President Bola Tinubu is not prepared for the challenges of Nigeria,” Dalung said.
He argued that a government seeking to address Nigeria’s problems should demonstrate preparedness and ensure that individuals selected for sensitive political positions have their integrity and sources of wealth properly scrutinised.
Dalung rejects hypocrisy argument
During the interview, Arise TV presenter Rufai Oseni challenged Dalung over whether his criticism of the APC campaign council was influenced by his current position outside the governing party.
Oseni pointed out that Dalung had previously served under the Muhammadu Buhari administration and asked why he did not publicly call out alleged corrupt individuals within the APC when he was benefiting from the government.
Dalung rejected the suggestion that his criticism was hypocritical, insisting that his position was based on his concern about the country rather than his political affiliation.
He said that while he was in government, there were internal channels through which concerns could be raised and corrected, adding that his current criticism should not be dismissed because he had previously served in government.
According to Dalung, Nigerians should not be expected to remain silent simply because they failed to speak publicly about certain issues at an earlier time.
He also criticised the Tinubu administration over its handling of the economy, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the country’s rising debt.
Dalung backs return of fuel subsidy
Speaking on the fuel subsidy debate, the former minister said the subsidy should be reintroduced, arguing that its removal had not produced meaningful benefits for ordinary Nigerians.
Dalung maintained that the withdrawal of subsidy had instead increased the burden on citizens while benefiting what he described as a small group of people in government.
He said the economic hardship experienced by Nigerians made a case for reconsidering the policy.
‘State police is necessary, but timing may be problematic’
On the proposed establishment of state police, Dalung said Nigeria needs the system as part of efforts to address its security challenges.
However, he cautioned that Nigerians should not expect immediate results, arguing that implementing state police effectively would take considerable time.
He nevertheless commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the move and pressuring the National Assembly to advance legislation establishing state police.
Dalung said the benefits of state police would likely extend beyond the current administration, stressing that building an effective security structure would require a long-term approach.
The former minister’s appearance comes as political parties and major political actors intensify preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with issues surrounding corruption, economic hardship, security and the credibility of political candidates increasingly dominating public discourse.
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