Solomon Dalung, a former minister, warns that unresolved insecurity and economic hardship could derail President Tinubu's re-election bid. The ex-youth and sports chief made these comments during an interview about Nigeria's current trajectory.
Dalung told Seun Okibaloye that Nigerians are growing increasingly angry over mounting insecurity, joblessness, and economic struggles. He believes these three issues will dominate voter concerns in future elections.
According to him, insecurity stands out as the most damaging problem for the president's image. "The main offense that Tinubu would have said to have committed in the eyes of voters would be insecurity," Dalung noted.
Economic mismanagement ranks equally high on voters' minds, he stressed. Poor handling of the economy also chips away at public confidence in the administration.
Dalung listed the core grievances troubling Nigerians: "Insecurity, untold hardship, mismanagement of the economy, corruption, unemployment." He said these challenges define the government's failures.
Ordinary citizens haven't benefited from any reforms, the former minister contended. Only top officials and those close to Tinubu have prospered since 2023, he claimed.
"The only people from 2023 to now that have been transformed are Tinubu and people in his government," he said. That disparity fuels citizen anger, he added.
Rising tensions across the Southwest also concern Dalung deeply. Ibadan, specifically, shows alarming signs of social breakdown and desperation.
"Have you ever imagined what is happening in the Southwest? Where in Ibadan… you could hear women coming out shouting 'ole, ole,'" he recounted.
Dalung warned that ignoring such developments invites repeating past political mistakes.
Government must pay attention to these warning signs, he urged.
