“I Never Feared Buhari” – Dalung Opens Up On Fiery Last Encounter With Late Ex-President

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has revealed details of his candid and often tense interactions with the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, describing how he boldly confronted the ex-leader over unfulfilled campaign promises.

According to Ireporter Online, Dalung made the disclosure during an interview on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, aired on Channels Television. He stated that his relationship with Buhari was close but frequently marked by disagreement due to his insistence on speaking the truth, no matter how uncomfortable.

“I never feared Buhari,” Dalung said. “I looked him straight in the eye and told him whatever I wanted to say because my hands were clean. Buhari once told me, ‘Solomon, you have a toxic mouth that spares nobody. Let’s take an oath that you won’t even spare me.’ And truly, I didn’t spare him.”

The former minister recounted that their final meeting was particularly heated after he challenged Buhari on his administration’s inability to deliver on several promises made to Nigerians during the campaigns. According to Dalung, Buhari appeared taken aback and confessed that he was unaware of the full extent of the issues raised. The president then urged him to keep visiting the Villa but, ironically, that encounter turned out to be their last.

Dalung further claimed that although Buhari directed his aides to always allow him access, he was repeatedly blocked from seeing the former president, despite their long-standing political alliance dating back to their early days of activism.

He recalled, “I took all the campaign promises and faced him. I asked, ‘Which of these can you truly say we have achieved?’ He couldn’t give an answer. Even after leaving office, I found it difficult to see him. The last time I managed to, he was visibly angry, questioning why I was being blocked from visiting. He was very bitter. Sometimes, I would arrive and be told he had gone to the farm, even after I had informed them I was coming.”

Dalung also disclosed that Buhari never explained why he was excluded from the cabinet during his second term. “Buhari told me to be patient, that I had done my best and served the country selflessly. He simply said whatever happened should be taken as the will of God,” he added.