By Ekunkonye Junior in Abuja
Sports administrator, Mallam Shaibu Gara-Gombe, has called on the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to caution former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, over what he described as persistent attacks on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking with journalists on Monday in Abuja, Gara-Gombe alleged that Dalung had consistently made un-complimentary remarks against the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government since leaving office.
According to Gara-Gombe, Dalung’s grievances began after he was not reappointed as a minister during the second term of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He claimed that the former minister had since become embittered towards the APC, the political party under which he previously served.
“Since he was removed by Buhari, he has not been himself; he has not been normal. But I don’t blame him. I blame the security agencies for not arresting him. He should have been arrested by now for all the atrocities he committed when he was a minister,” Gara-Gombe said.
He further alleged that Nigeria’s sports sector experienced significant challenges during Dalung’s tenure as minister, adding that some of the problems created during that period continue to affect the sector.
Gara-Gombe was reacting to recent comments attributed to Dalung on the country’s security situation. In the interview, the former minister expressed concern over rising cases of insecurity and kidnappings across Nigeria.
Dalung had argued that innocent citizens were being abducted while the government had failed to demonstrate sufficient political will to tackle terrorism.
According to Dalung, Nigerians are willing to confront terrorism, but the country’s leadership appears unwilling to take the necessary action to address the menace.
“They have all the gadgets to track anybody who criticises the government. They can pick him up in the next five minutes, but they don’t have equipment to track terrorists who display huge funds in the forest,” Dalung was quoted as saying.
Responding, Gara-Gombe dismissed the former minister’s remarks as “unverified and unpalatable statements” against the Tinubu administration and urged the leadership of the NDC, which he claimed Dalung now belongs to, to call him to order.
He described Dalung’s statements as “reckless”, given his own track record of alleged mismanagement and corruption while in office, and urged “all Nigerians to reject individuals like him who put their own interests above those of the country.” He added that public figures should exercise restraint on sensitive national issues.
Gara-Gombe said the Tinubu administration had continued to demonstrate commitment in tackling insecurity across the country, noting that government efforts should be supported by all Nigerians. He urged citizens to continue backing the APC-led administration, expressing confidence that such support would help reposition Nigeria among the comity of nations.
