Solomon Dalung, a former minister of sports and youth development, disclosed that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is currently in talks with influential people, such as senators and former ministers, as part of a plan to unseat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the general elections of 2027.
Dalung said in an interview with Punch on Sunday that important political players from all around the nation participate in these talks, but he underlined the importance of protecting their anonymity at this time.
“We are in discussion with many people across the country, including former ministers and senators,” he said with assurance. Many members of Nigeria’s political elite, representing various political parties, are interested in joining the SDP.
According to reports, Dalung emphasized that the SDP is now seen as a significant force in Nigerian politics because it stands for justice rather than because of its white horse image.
He emphasized the SDP’s historical role in bringing Nigerians together by saying, “SDP is now a bride in Nigerian politics… because it is a party of justice.” He brought up the 1993 election’s annulment, which denied Nigerians the opportunity to cast their ballots for a party that promised a better future.
Dalung went on to criticize Nigeria’s political history, pointing out the 16 years spent under the PDP and the 10 years that followed under the APC. He maintained that Nigeria must turn around because it has strayed from its promise.
Nigerian democracy won’t advance unless we return to the places where we fell behind. We ought to take a different route,” he continued.
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Dalung asserted that the SDP is dedicated to ending poverty and establishing an egalitarian society, saying that the party’s vision of prosperity is still quite clear.
Nigerians are thrilled to join the SDP as their hopes were dashed there. Since the election was canceled, all political ideologists have welcomed poverty into Nigeria, Dalung said, echoing Abiola’s campaign slogan of “farewell to poverty.”
Anger In the direction of President Tinubu Dalung also voiced his deep displeasure with the way President Tinubu has been running the nation, especially with regard to the elimination of gasoline subsidies.
He pointed out that Tinubu’s presidency lacks widespread support, explaining that the president was elected with only 36% of the vote, making him the first Nigerian president to assume office without securing at least 60% of the vote.
He questioned why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not call for a rerun after the election, despite the low voter support for Tinubu.
“In a normal democracy, INEC should have gone for a rerun, but the electoral body never did. Instead, INEC declared Tinubu the President,” Dalung said.
Dalung continued, criticizing Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal, describing it as a major misstep. He stated, “The fuel subsidy removal has a monumental effect on the lives of the people of Nigeria. People have been crying across the country… In his maiden presidential chat, the President said he had no regret whatsoever.”
He accused the president of declaring “war against Nigeria,” especially against the common people.
Dalung refrained from directly labelling the political opposition as “gangs,” but he suggested that the growing dissatisfaction with the government has driven political leaders to attempt to salvage the situation.
He pointed out that Tinubu’s presidency lacks widespread support, explaining that the president was elected with only 36% of the vote, making him the first Nigerian president to assume office without securing at least 60% of the vote.
He questioned why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not call for a rerun after the election, despite the low voter support for Tinubu.
“In a normal democracy, INEC should have gone for a rerun, but the electoral body never did. Instead, INEC declared Tinubu the President,” Dalung said.
Dalung continued, criticizing Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal, describing it as a major misstep. He stated, “The fuel subsidy removal has a monumental effect on the lives of the people of Nigeria. People have been crying across the country… In his maiden presidential chat, the President said he had no regret whatsoever.”
He accused the president of declaring “war against Nigeria,” especially against the common people.
Dalung refrained from directly labelling the political opposition as “gangs,” but he suggested that the growing dissatisfaction with the government has driven political leaders to attempt to salvage the situation.
