Solomon Dalung, former Minister of Youths and Sports, has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was responsible for nominating five ministers to the cabinet of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as the former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Dalung made the claim during a recent appearance on the Politics Today program on Channels Television.
This assertion directly contradicts statements made by President Tinubu, who had previously denied any involvement in ministerial appointments during the Buhari administration.
Tinubu had dismissed allegations of being part of a “cabal” that was said to have manipulated the Buhari government, and he further emphasized his stance during his campaign visit to Ogun State, coining the popular term “Emilokan” (it’s my turn).
However, Dalung argued against Tinubu’s position, stating, “I mentioned that as we continue to place blame on the Buhari government and shift responsibilities, Buhari was essentially a stranger in his own administration. It was run by the current president. He (Tinubu) nominated five ministers and even the vice president.”
Dalung had previously accused the political elite of sidelining Buhari, leaving him isolated in his own government.
In a December podcast on Channels TV, Dalung criticized the power dynamics that emerged during Buhari’s presidency, claiming a “power cult” hijacked the administration, preventing Buhari from fulfilling his campaign promises.
Dalung elaborated on his statement, saying, “What I meant by Buhari being a stranger in his own government was that the government did not reflect the intentions of those who supported his election. Instead, a power bloc took control, and the original promises made during the campaign were abandoned. Buhari was unable to fulfill those promises because of this shift in power.”
While President Tinubu has admitted to nominating Osinbajo as Vice President under Buhari, he previously shared that he was asked to suggest three candidates for the position but chose to nominate Osinbajo alone, reasoning that submitting only one name would prevent the emergence of additional contenders..
