Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s qualification to contest the 2027 presidential election remains open to legal challenge, arguing that the Supreme Court’s judgment on the 2023 presidential election did not validate the President’s credentials but merely held that the issue ought to have been pursued as a pre-election matter.
Speaking during a State of the Nation Address, Dalung maintained that the question of Tinubu’s eligibility would resurface once political parties commence the nomination process for the next general election, adding that those challenging the President’s qualification were prepared to return to court.
According to him, the apex court’s decision did not prevent fresh litigation once nomination forms are submitted for the 2027 elections.
“The Supreme Court only said the issue of qualification is a pre-election matter and should have been raised appropriately. The Supreme Court helped us, educated us and prepared us for 2027,” Dalung stated.
“We have serviced all our legal arsenals and we are waiting. Let him submit his credentials. INEC has already been put on notice. Let him put his credentials forward so we can go to court.”
Dalung described the President’s qualification as the greatest threat to Nigeria’s 2027 democratic transition, insisting that the country’s constitutional democracy cannot thrive where, in his view, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is systematically weakening opposition parties.
He accused the APC-led administration of sponsoring litigation against opposition political parties in a bid to diminish credible challengers ahead of the next election, arguing that the trend threatens Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system.
“Democracy cannot be only one political party. We are constitutionally guaranteed a multi-party democracy. The 2027 transition is under attack,” he said.
The former minister also weighed in on the controversy surrounding the alleged fake federal agency, insisting that any investigation would lack credibility unless President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, steps aside pending the outcome of the probe.
Describing the ongoing investigation as “comedy and drama,” Dalung argued that public confidence in the process would remain low while a key official mentioned in the controversy continues to occupy office.
“The appropriate thing for the President to do, if Nigerians are to believe the investigation, is to suspend him. You cannot be a judge in your own case,” he stated.
On the nation’s security situation, Dalung said insecurity had evolved into what he described as a “multi-trillion naira criminal enterprise,” alleging that criminal networks, political actors, arms suppliers, informants and rogue security personnel had become beneficiaries of the crisis.
He argued that the persistence of banditry, kidnappings and other violent crimes reflected a lack of political will at the highest level of government rather than the inability of security agencies to respond effectively.
“The day the Commander-in-Chief is willing to deal with insecurity, Nigerians will have peace,” he said, while warning that vested interests now profit from the prevailing insecurity.
Dalung further criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the economy, questioning the utilisation of revenues generated from the removal of fuel subsidy, higher electricity tariffs, increased telecommunications charges, bank charges and continued public borrowing.
Despite what he described as unprecedented revenue inflows since 2023, he contended that the economic condition of ordinary Nigerians had continued to deteriorate, with rising poverty and hardship across the country.
“The more you see, the less you understand. This is the state of Nigeria,” he remarked.
The former minister also defended the legal standing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), maintaining that the party remained the strongest opposition platform despite ongoing litigation challenging its leadership.
According to him, the recent Court of Appeal judgment nullifying certain party congresses did not invalidate the party itself but merely affected those who emerged through the annulled congresses.
He explained that the National Working Committee was constitutionally empowered to constitute caretaker committees to oversee the affairs of the party pending the determination of appeals before the Supreme Court.
Dalung maintained that issues relating to party leadership remained internal affairs beyond the jurisdiction of the courts, citing what he described as settled legal principles established by the Supreme Court.
He expressed optimism that the ADC would remain on the ballot in 2027 while urging other opposition parties to overcome their internal crises in order to provide Nigerians with credible alternatives.
“I pray they survive so that we can have formidable opposition that will challenge this government,”
