Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has taken a swipe at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the recent influx of defectors into the party as a “congregation of sinners in search of forgiveness.”
Speaking amid ongoing political realignments across the country, Dalung criticized what he sees as a growing trend of politicians joining the APC not out of ideological conviction, but as a means of escaping past misdeeds.
He referenced former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s comment that any politician, regardless of past actions, would be forgiven once they secure an APC ticket. “These are people who have committed heinous crimes against the Nigerian people and are jumping into the APC ship not because they believe in President Tinubu, but because they want their sins forgiven,” Dalung said.
The former minister further warned that the wave of defections may spell long-term trouble for the APC and the Tinubu administration. “They’re not adding value to Tinubu. Instead, he’s compounding his party’s internal troubles, which may lead to an implosion,” he stated.
Using Hausa proverbs to illustrate his point, Dalung questioned the sincerity and benefit of the defections. “If animals celebrate the death of a butcher, has the knife also died? If politicians defect, have the people also defected?” he asked rhetorically.
On the reported interest of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dalung expressed confidence in the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo. He described Adebayo as the party’s most credible figure since the days of the late Chief MKO Abiola.
“He is a force to beat in 2027. No one has promoted SDP like him in recent years,” Dalung asserted, emphasizing Adebayo’s commitment to justice, equity, and the rule of law.
Dalung also confirmed that the SDP had engaged in coalition talks with other political groups but declined to provide details, noting that the party leadership would speak on the outcome in due course.
“I’m aware that coalition delegates met with SDP leaders, but only the party can speak officially on the outcome,” he concluded.