|
Listen to article
|
Solomon Dalung, the former Minister of Youth and Sports, has alleged that the influential circle of advisors and power brokers surrounding President Bola Tinubu wields greater authority and poses a more significant threat than the cabal that operated during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Dalung’s remarks suggest a growing unease about the level of control such individuals may exert over the president’s decision-making process.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Solomon Dalung described the cabal in President Tinubu’s administration as a coalition of well-educated, highly ambitious, and polished individuals. He emphasized their intricate understanding of power structures, portraying them as a group whose influence could shape the trajectory of Tinubu’s leadership.
He contended that the cabal’s intellectual acumen and strategic ambitions render them particularly adept at maneuvering within the political system, allowing them to manipulate governance in ways that could effectively sideline the president.
“They are educated and have a sound knowledge of what power is,” he said. “Their capacity to manipulate power, stifle information, and control access to the president makes them more dangerous than any cabal in the history of this country.”
Dalung drew a stark contrast between the current cabal surrounding President Tinubu and that of former President Buhari, describing the latter as less refined and composed of individuals with relatively limited political and administrative expertise. He argued that, despite Buhari’s cabal having more narrow, self-serving motives, their lack of strategic sophistication ultimately tempered their impact on the administration’s decisions.
“Of course, President Muhammadu Buhari’s government had a cabal,” Dalung stated. “But they were people who were not quite informed, who had little experience in politics, public administration, and governance. Their activities were limited to their narrow understanding of power relations and self-interest.”
The former minister criticised the denial of cabals’ existence in Nigerian governance, saying it would be unjust to future generations. “It would be very, very unfair to posterity to deny the existence of such a dangerous political element that takes over power and pursues ulterior motives using the popular manifesto that was used to gain power.”
Assessing Tinubu’s administration, Dalung cited Chapter 2 of the Nigerian Constitution, which states that the primary aim of government is to ensure the well-being of its citizens. He questioned whether the current government was living up to this mandate.
“Are Nigerians rejoicing over the policies of this government? Certainly not,” he said. “The common people are frustrated and not speaking well of the government or the country itself.
Dalung expressed concerns that the influence of Tinubu’s cabal could hinder effective governance, isolate the president, and worsen the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
