Former Gombe State Football Association chairman, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe has called on the federal government and relevant agencies in the country to probe the tenure of former sports minister, Solomon Dalung.
Gara-Gombe said Dalung’s constant criticisms of this administration makes him look like a saint, whereas there are so many skeletons in his cupboard arising from his time in office.
VDCInsights reports that Gara is coming against Dalung after the former minister called him a blackmailer without proving same with facts, in addition to labelling President Bola Tinubu’s administration as “grossly incompetent, corrupt and visionless”
In a no-holds-barred chat with some journalists in Abuja on Monday, the former Gombe United Football club chairman dismissed Dalung’s calling him a blackmailer as laughable, while describing the former minister as “reckless” with his utterances.
He noted that the former sports minister has not been himself since his removal from office and described his tenure in office as one riddled allegations of mismanagement and corruption.
He stated “I have known Solomon Dalung for many years, and I believe his conduct since leaving office has been troubling. The way he speaks, reacts and carries himself raises serious concerns”.
“In fact on daily basis, I used to pray for him. I pity him, since former President Buhari dropped him as minister, he has not been normal, he alleged”
Gara pointed out that Dalung was playing politics with everything to warm himself back to undiscerning minds, stressing that people like him should not be taken serious because they urged “put their own interests above those of the country.”
He pointed out during Dalung’s tenure that the U23 Olympic team was stranded in Atalanta and between him and then then NFF President Amaju Pinnick went to a Nigerian based in Atalanta, Yomi Idowu to borrow 300,00 dollars to support the team.
Gara alleged that the money has been paid by the government, but he is not aware Yomi Idowu has gotten his money back, pointing out that “this is not good for the country’s image, when diasporians help and don’t get appreciated”.
This, he noted, was part of the challenges, the athletes faced during Rio Olympics, including lack proper sports kits and jersies, and wants the former minister to explain what happened to the money.
Gombe challenged the former minister to account for issues surrounding his tenure in office, and also dared him to a public debate on the allegations.
He wondered why the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services (DSS) have not investigated him over the allegations he raised .
He argued that allegations against the former minister should not be swept under the carpet as they weighty enough.
Gara alleged that “When he became a minister, he was staying at Gombe Jewel Hotel, but few months later he bought a house in Gwarinpa,how did he do that?.
Gara alleged that some sports stakeholders bought and furnished the house for him for whatever reasons he alone can ezplain.
He also alleged that when FIFA indicates NFF for failing to account for 800,000 dollars was when the Federation gave him the N20m as part of burial support of his late wife and that was show the investigation of the missing money died for good.
Gara also demanded that the DSS and other security agencies should look into the handling of facilities at the National Stadium in Lagos during Dalung’s tenure, particularly a proposed handover to former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for renovation.
He queried what happened to the planned hand over of the National Stadium Lagos to Lagos State for renovation under Ambode.
“He promised to hand over the Lagos National Stadium to Ambode for renovation what happened?”.
According to Gara Dalung claimed a forged letter from the Presidency prevented the project from proceeding,and challenged the former minister to produce the document and identify its author.
Gara enjoined relevant government agencies to properly scrutinise allegations involving public officials,irrespective of party affiliations.
He stressed that political affiliation should not be a criteria for protection from scrutiny over actions taken while holding public office.
For me “I blame the government of the day. I blame the ICPC. I blame the EFCC. I blame the Nigerian Police and even the DSS.”
He said his stand and concerns are borne out of public interest and not personal attacks, insisting that any allegations he had raised should be subjected to proper investigation,stressing he was ready to engage the former minister in a public debate.
