The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed recent claims by former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, alleging that a powerful cabal has hijacked President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
APC’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, criticized Dalung’s credibility and questioned his record as a former minister. “Who is Dalung? What did he achieve as a minister? He lacks the intellectual capacity to comment on governance,” Basiru stated.
Furthermore, Dalung, in a recent interview, alleged that President Tinubu has not been in full control of his government since taking office in May 2023. He claimed the administration was influenced from the start by a “sophisticated cabal,” citing the removal of fuel subsidies on inauguration day as evidence.
“There was no cabinet in place when the subsidy was removed, yet that decision set off a chain reaction—fuel prices rose, the cost of living surged, and basic expenses skyrocketed,” Dalung said. He likened his warning to that of a biblical prophet, claiming he foresaw the hardship now facing many Nigerians.
Comparing the current government to that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Dalung argued that while Buhari’s so-called cabal was inexperienced, Tinubu’s is made up of “ambitious and manipulative” individuals.
Basiru, however, dismissed the claims as baseless, pointing out the functioning of democratic institutions like the National Assembly. “His analysis lacks substance. There is no cabal when our democratic processes are actively at work,” he said.
He also suggested that Dalung and other critics have not moved past their political losses in the 2023 elections and are intent on discrediting the administration regardless of its efforts.
“As the President has said, we remain focused. If anyone is dissatisfied, the ballot box is the proper place to seek change—not through empty rhetoric,” Basiru concluded.
