Solomon Dalung, the former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, has opened up about the reasons for his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing his growing disillusionment with the party’s leadership and governance style.
In a revealing interview with Punch newspaper, Dalung shared how his interactions with the APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, contributed to his decision to resign from the party and join the SDP.
Dalung recalled his appointment in 2022 as Director of Contact and Mobilization for the APC’s Strategic Campaign Council, a role that gave him direct access to Tinubu. However, after a 30-minute meeting with the APC candidate, Dalung claimed he realized that Tinubu was unable to grasp the key points of their conversation.
“I was appointed by Bola Tinubu as Director of Contact and Mobilization for the APC’s Strategic Campaign Council in 2022. After a 30-minute meeting with him, I realized he couldn’t comprehend much of what we discussed. I warned myself that after campaigning for Muhammadu Buhari and witnessing the failure Nigerians were crying about, I couldn’t continue with that reality,” Dalung explained.
Disillusioned by the meeting, Dalung resigned from his role in the Strategic Campaign Council, as well as from the APC, choosing instead to align with the SDP, which he believes offers the best hope for Nigeria’s future.
“After evaluating all political parties, I was convinced that the SDP represents the future of Nigeria,” Dalung stated.
Dalung joined the SDP in 2022 and ran in the 2023 National Assembly elections for the Langtang North/Langtang South Constituency. Despite uncovering significant irregularities in the electoral process, he chose not to pursue legal action, citing doubts about the fairness of the judicial system.
“I contested the 2023 National Assembly election for Langtang North/Langtang South Constituency. Despite having evidence of INEC’s irregularities, I decided against going to court because I wasn’t sure anyone could get justice given the drama they put on,” Dalung said.
Dalung also criticized the current political system in Nigeria, calling it a “kakistocracy” — a government ruled by the worst individuals for their own benefit.
“We’re not practicing democracy, we’re in a kakistocracy. What we have now is a government for the few, serving their personal interests and those of their families and friends,” Dalung stated.
He welcomed those joining the SDP, emphasizing the party’s commitment to reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape and promoting transparency.