Dalung criticises Tinubu’s Independence Day address as lacking accountability

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, describing it as rhetorical, ambitious and disappointing. Dalung made the comments on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief after Tinubu addressed Nigerians during activities marking the country’s 66th Independence anniversary. The former minister said the speech should have presented clearer evidence of the successes recorded by the administration since it took office in 2023.

He argued that Nigerians needed accountability and concrete explanations of how government reforms had affected their lives. Dalung said the address should also have dealt directly with insecurity, agriculture, the economy, unemployment, hunger, poverty and foreign policy. He said the President should have compared the country’s progress since independence with developments during the current administration.

Tinubu had asked Nigerians to be patient with his reforms and compared the country’s condition when he assumed office with a cancer patient beginning painful but necessary treatment. The President said the government had acted because poverty was rising and hope was nearly gone. Dalung rejected what he described as a continued appeal for patience without sufficiently explaining when Nigerians would experience recovery.

He said the government had repeated the same assurances since 2023 and questioned whether economic growth figures were translating into improved transport costs, purchasing power and general welfare. Although he acknowledged that the economy had recorded some growth, Dalung said such figures should not remain “paper presentation”. He also said the President’s speech failed to address Nigerians held in captivity and the security situation in Plateau State, where he said attacks and mass burials had become frequent.

Dalung, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, said a national address should create a connection with citizens by demonstrating how government policies provided practical support and renewed hope.