Solomon Dalung, the former Minister of Youth and Sports, has made a bold statement, claiming that the cabals surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s administration are more formidable and dangerous than those who were present during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Dalung expressed these views while discussing the issue on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday.
Having served as a minister under Buhari’s administration, Dalung reflected on the role of the cabals during that time. He explained that, in his view, President Buhari was somewhat of an outsider in his own government, as the power behind the scenes was controlled by members of the cabal. According to Dalung, the members of Buhari’s cabal were not particularly well-educated or politically seasoned. He described them as individuals with limited experience in politics, public administration, and governance, which he believes contributed to their inability to effectively steer the government.
In stark contrast, Dalung highlighted that the current cabals around President Tinubu are not only well-educated but also highly experienced and ambitious. He stressed that these powerbrokers possess a deep understanding of political and governance dynamics. He elaborated by saying, “Of course, President Muhammadu Buhari’s government had cabals. That is known and that I have attested to. But I am saying that President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabals were made up of people who were not quite informed, with little experience in politics, public administration, and governance.”
Dalung went on to draw a clear distinction between the two groups, stating, “But President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabal is made up of a sophisticated and ambitious group of people who had a long history in power. They are experienced, they are educated, and so they have sound knowledge of what power is.” He further emphasized that these new cabals are far more adept and, as a result, more dangerous, claiming, “These cabals are masters, and therefore, are more dangerous than any cabal in the history of this country.”
Dalung’s comments paint a picture of a much more powerful and capable network of individuals in the current administration, suggesting that their control over Nigeria’s governance could have profound implications for the country’s future.
