According to a report by Daily Independent, on Monday, July 20, 2026, former Minister of Sports Development and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Solomon Dalung, spoke with Chibuike Chukwu on several national issues, focusing on President Bola Tinubu’s challenges ahead of the 2027 general election, the country’s security situation, and other political developments.
Dalung argued that one of the biggest mistakes any politician can make is to establish a standard while seeking public support and later fail to live up to it after assuming office.
According to him, leaders are often judged by the promises they make and the expectations they create among the people.
He recalled that when Tinubu served as governor of Lagos State, many Nigerians believed he possessed an exceptional ability to transform governance.
Because of that reputation, many citizens expected him to replicate what they described as the “Lagos magic” after becoming Nigeria’s president.
However, Dalung maintained that the reality has been the complete opposite of what many Nigerians had anticipated.
He stated that many Nigerians now believe the President has performed below expectations, adding that such public perception could have a significant impact on Tinubu’s campaign and political fortunes ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Dalung further explained that, in his opinion, Tinubu’s greatest challenge before the next election may not even be the contest itself but issues surrounding his qualifications.
He pointed out that although the Supreme Court described questions about the President’s credentials during the 2023 election as a pre-election matter, fresh legal efforts are already underway.
According to him, some individuals have reportedly submitted petitions to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and are preparing to seek judicial interpretation on the matter.
He claimed there are several questions relating to Tinubu’s credentials that still require answers, suggesting that the legal disputes could become one of the major political hurdles facing the President before the next election.
Dalung also expressed the view that constitutional issues may become more prominent as political events unfold.
He suggested that if circumstances become complicated, the President has constitutional options that could allow him to remain in office for an additional period through the declaration of a state of emergency.
He also claimed that the President enjoys the backing of the National Assembly, adding that such political support could influence future developments if obstacles arise before the election.
Turning to the country’s security situation, Dalung said he desires a peaceful Nigeria and questioned why the Federal Government has not been able to effectively tackle insecurity across the country.
He insisted that anyone claiming the government lacks the capacity to restore security is not being truthful.
He said, “When I was a chairman of a local government, about 500 people picked arms and took over a community. The following day, I went with security and flushed them out.”
Dalung used the experience to argue that if a local government chairman could successfully respond to such a security challenge, then a President who serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces should be capable of restoring peace across the country.
He added that this is one of the reasons some people believe there are individuals deliberately frustrating efforts to end insecurity, noting that he also shares that opinion.
Speaking further, Dalung described the current security situation as deeply troubling.
According to him, armed groups, including bandits, terrorists, ISIS elements, Boko Haram fighters and kidnappers, appear to have become more confident because they believe they can continue operating without serious resistance.
He said these criminal groups now carry out violent attacks with little fear of consequences, while the government appears either unable or unwilling to confront them effectively.
Dalung concluded that the situation has become unfortunate, warning that the continued insecurity has weakened Nigeria’s sovereignty and raised serious concerns about the country’s ability to protect its citizens……See More
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