The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and the Northern Awareness Network (NAN) have strongly condemned comments made by former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung.
Dalung had accused the current administration of President Bola Tinubu of incompetence and ineptitude, which the youth groups view as an attempt to incite violence and civil disobedience among the youth.
In separate statements on Sunday, Yerima Shettima, President General of AYCF, and Salifu Suleiman, Chairman of NAN, criticized Dalung’s remarks, describing them as reckless and shameless.
They highlighted Dalung’s own questionable track record during his tenure as Minister of Youth and Sports, accusing him of mismanagement and corruption.
The youth groups recounted several instances of alleged incompetence during Dalung’s term.
One prominent example cited was the mismanagement of the Nigerian athletes’ participation in the 2016 Rio Olympics, where athletes reportedly lacked proper sports kits and uniforms, leading to national embarrassment on the global stage.
Additionally, AYCF and NAN claimed that funds meant for the Ministry of Sports were misappropriated under Dalung’s watch.
They asserted that this financial mismanagement caused significant embarrassment for the Buhari-led administration, which eventually led to Dalung’s removal from his ministerial position.
According to the groups, it was only after Dalung’s dismissal that his successor, Mr. Sunday Dare, managed to repay the misappropriated funds.
The youth organizations criticized the irony in Dalung’s recent statements on misgovernance, incompetence, and corruption, given his own controversial past.
They noted that Dalung’s attempts to regain political relevance, including his failed bid for a House of Representatives seat in 2023 under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) after being rejected by both the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), underscore his lack of integrity and popular support.
Furthermore, the groups highlighted Dalung’s contentious political history, particularly his appointment as a minister by President Buhari.
They pointed out that part of the reason for his appointment was his controversial record of attacking his Christian indigene in Plateau State, which they argued showed a lack of dedication to true public service.
AYCF and NAN strongly condemned Dalung’s recent actions and called for accountability for his alleged acts of misgovernance and corruption while in office.
They urged Nigerians to reject individuals like Dalung, who they claim prioritize personal interests over national welfare.
AYCF emphasized the importance of rejecting Dalung’s attempts to regain political relevance and instead supporting leaders committed to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
NAN added that, as a public figure, Dalung has a significant platform to influence and shape the mindset of young people.
They stressed the importance of responsible speech, particularly when it comes to inciting violence or conflict. Encouraging violence, they argued, undermines the principles of integrity, respect for the rule of law, and the foundations of a just society.
Such actions, they warned, could lead to chaos, destruction, and unnecessary loss of life, with long-lasting repercussions for individuals and communities.
By promoting violence, Dalung is not only failing in his duties as a former government official but also betraying the public trust.
His actions, they said, are irresponsible and dangerous, with the potential to sow division and conflict among young people.
They called on Dalung to recognize the impact of his words and take steps to rectify his behavior.
Finally, NAN emphasized that Dalung’s allegations of incompetence against President Tinubu are unsubstantiated.
 While acknowledging that constructive criticism is vital in a democratic society, they stressed that such criticism must be grounded in facts and evidence.
Making sweeping accusations without due diligence, they argued, only serves to sow discord and hinder national progress.
