In a candid interview on the Mic On Podcast on Sunday, Dalung explained that such cabals are often groups of influential individuals, sometimes appointed by the president, who manipulate the presidency to serve their own interests rather than the public good.
Dalung recounted how, shortly after Buhari’s victory, a group emerged that quickly sidelined those who had worked tirelessly to ensure his success. He described the moment he became aware of the cabal’s influence as when his own access to the president was abruptly restricted.
He recalled, “On the evening Buhari was declared winner, I went to see him. But to my surprise, I was blocked from entering his house — a house where, just a day earlier, I had stayed until 2 a.m. After making several calls, I was finally allowed access. That was the day it became clear: the cabal had taken control.”
Dalung criticized the response of Buhari’s supporters, who celebrated the president’s win without considering the emerging power dynamics within the administration. He believed this oversight left Buhari vulnerable to those with a deeper understanding of political maneuvering.
“These people, who understood power, took over and ran the government to their own benefit for the next eight years,” he said.
When questioned about the involvement of figures from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the party Buhari belonged to before the merger that formed the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dalung dismissed the notion that a CPC cabal was behind the shift in power. He argued that figures like Tanko Al-Makura were not part of the controlling group.
“The CPC didn’t succeed in forming a cabal. Instead, the government was hijacked by individuals who were not traditional politicians but rather ‘like bandits laying an ambush’ immediately after Buhari’s victory,” Dalung stated.
He also claimed that these individuals amassed significant wealth and power over the years, becoming influential figures in Nigerian politics. “They are very, very wealthy, and Nigerians should expect them to wield substantial influence,” Dalung added.
As for the possibility of a similar situation unfolding in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Dalung suggested that the dynamics within the APC had changed. He described the party as a “sophisticated political machine,” likening it to a “zoo” due to its complexity.
“It is the same APC we formed, but it’s now more sophisticated. The party has become a complex political structure, almost like a zoo,” Dalung remarked.
Despite his bold accusations, Dalung expressed no fear of retaliation, revealing that he had survived over 10 assassination attempts during his long political career. One of these attempts, he recalled, saw gunmen spraying his car with bullets while wielding AK-47 rifles.
“I’ve been in this struggle for 40 years. I’ve survived more than 10 assassination attempts. There was a time when five people with AK-47s riddled my car with bullets. Yet, I’m still alive,” Dalung shared. He also recounted other assassination attempts, including poisoning and armed ambushes.
“I am not afraid of death. My mother told me that I will not leave this planet until it’s my time, according to God’s will,” Dalung said, standing firm in his convictions despite the many dangers he’s faced.
