2027: Corruption may become requirement for appointments if Tinubu wins – Dalung

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has alleged that corruption could become a requirement for political appointments if President Bola Tinubu wins the 2027 presidential election.

Dalung made the allegation during an interview on Arise TV breakfast show, expressing concern over the composition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council and the inclusion of individuals he claimed had corruption allegations hanging over them.

“To me, it seems like corruption will be part of the requirements if President Bola Tinubu wins election in 2027 for anybody to be nominated into the cabinet or to head any agency,” Dalung said.

He said the credibility of the 2027 electoral process should begin with the quality of candidates seeking elective offices and the individuals selected to campaign for them.

According to him, the 2027 political process had already begun and the list of persons appointed to campaign for candidates had generated concerns among Nigerians.

He specifically questioned the inclusion of the former Zamfara State governor and APC campaign council chairman, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, as well as other individuals whom he alleged had faced corruption-related accusations.

He claimed that the presence of people facing such allegations in the campaign structure raised questions about the kind of government the APC could form if Tinubu secures another term in office. He also criticised the APC’s decision to withdraw and review the campaign council list, describing the development as evidence of poor preparation.

“Now that they have admitted to review the list, it speaks volumes on their preparation to lead Nigeria in 2027,” he said, adding that the development suggested “a government of trial by error.” He said the same standard should apply to all political parties preparing for the 2027 general elections, arguing that Nigerians should closely scrutinise the individuals and structures presented by parties seeking their support.

He rejected suggestions that his criticism was motivated by his current political position outside the ruling party, insisting that the focus should be on the capacity of the government to fulfil its campaign promises.

The former minister also criticised the Tinubu administration over the removal of fuel subsidy, borrowing and what he described as the economic hardship facing ordinary Nigerians.

He argued that the removal of the fuel subsidy had not delivered sufficient benefits to Nigerians and maintained his support for its reintroduction.

“On fuel subsidy, I stand with the reintroduction of fuel subsidy because the withdrawal of fuel subsidy has not benefited Nigeria,” he said.

On corruption, he accused the administration of lacking the capacity to effectively confront the problem and also raised questions about information contained in Tinubu’s nomination documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He argued that a government facing allegations and questions over integrity could not effectively lead an anti-corruption campaign.

He also expressed support for the establishment of state police, describing it as necessary to improve security in Nigeria.

However, he cautioned that the benefits of state-controlled police forces might not be immediate, arguing that it could take years before the country begins to experience the full impact of the policy.

Despite his criticism of the administration, he commended Tinubu for supporting efforts to secure legislation for the establishment of state police.