Former minister of sports, Solomon Dalung, said that former President Muhammadu Buhari was like a ceremonial Nigerian leader who watched a cabal run the country while he was in office.

In a chat on Mic On Podcast, Dalung refuted claims that Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) stalwart Tanko Al-Makura was in charge of government but maintained that the Buhari administration was hijacked by political elites.

The former minister said ‘Buhari charisma’ was used as a tool by political elites to oust former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

Dalung said Buhari was allegedly unaware of important national issues even though he was president at the time.

He cited a clash between personnel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the police that lasted for three days in Abuja, saying, “the president was shocked when I raised it during our meeting.”

“We lied to Nigerians. Buhari was also used and dumped. Buhari’s charisma was needed by the political elite to eliminate Jonathan. Buhari was a stranger in his government,” Dalung said.
Dalung alleged that a group of people amassed significant wealth and power over the years emerged from nowhere and hijacked the government shortly after Buhari won the election, thus leaving those who laboured to ensure a successful election vulnerable for eight years.

“The CPC did not succeed in having a cabal. Instead, the government was hijacked by people who were not politicians but ‘like bandits who laid an ambush’ immediately after Buhari’s victory,” he said.
“A group of ambitious people who were also appointed by the same president to help him govern but they will run his presidency at his their own expense and interest.

“These people, who understood power, took over and ran the government to their interest until eight years were gone.”