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Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has questioned the credibility of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general election, expressing concern over allegations linked to some of its members.
Dalung raised the concerns on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television, arguing that the credibility of the electoral process would depend partly on the character and integrity of those selected to campaign for presidential candidates.
According to him, political parties should carefully consider the records of individuals appointed to persuade Nigerians to support their candidates.
“The credibility of any transition process begins with nominations of those qualified to contest, and then those that are put forward to solicit support and convince people to support the various candidates,” he said.
Dalung said the APC campaign council had attracted public scrutiny because of allegations previously associated with some of the personalities listed.
“Of great concern is the list of people saddled with the responsibilities of campaigning for the various candidates,” he said.
“So far, we have the list of the APC, and it has elicited serious concern by Nigerians looking at the characters that populated that list.”
He argued that allegations of corruption against members of the council could affect public confidence in the ruling party and raise questions about the type of administration Nigerians should expect if President Bola Tinubu secures another term.
“If you have a campaign council list made up of these personalities, who have corruption hanging on their necks like the sword of Damocles, then you will question what the future looks like,” Dalung said.
“What type of government are we trying to put in the future, and what will the Bola Ahmed Tinubu government, if elected in 2027, look like?” he asked.
The former minister also criticised the APC’s decision to withdraw its initial campaign council list for review, describing the development as an indication that the party had concerns about its own choices.
“They cannot throw a list of very corrupt persons to our face and then turn around to say they are going to review it,” he said.
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“This is a vote of no confidence passed on themselves, and I think Nigerians should take note of this.”
Dalung dismissed the suggestion that his criticism was motivated by political affiliation, insisting that his position was based on the national interest and the need for governments to have the capacity to fulfil their promises.
“It is not about where you stand,” he said, stressing that the focus should be on “the capacity of the government to deliver on its campaign promises.”
On the controversial petrol subsidy policy, Dalung said he supported its reintroduction, arguing that Nigerians had not benefited sufficiently from its removal.
“On fuel subsidy, I stand with the reintroduction of fuel subsidy because the withdrawal of fuel subsidy has not benefited Nigerians. Rather, it has benefited the few people in government,” he said.
He also accused the Tinubu administration of lacking the capacity to effectively tackle corruption.
“This government has no capacity to deal with corruption because its foundation is on corruption,” Dalung alleged.
However, he commended Tinubu for supporting the establishment of state police, describing it as a positive step that could eventually improve security.
“I will have to commend President Bola Tinubu for insisting and pressuring the National Assembly to have the state police Act passed,” he said.
Dalung, however, cautioned that Nigerians should not expect immediate results from the policy, saying its benefits would take time to become evident.
“Nigeria should not expect the benefits now because it is going to take a long period,” he added.
