Probe Tenue of Dalung as Sports Minister, Gara Gombe Urges FG

A former Chairman of Gombe State Football Association, Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, has urged the federal government and relevant security agencies in the country to probe the tenure of former sports minister, Solomon Dalung over his incessant attacks on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
Dalung had on several occasions has labelled Tinubu’s administration as “grossly incompetent, corrupt and useless” while also calling Gombe as a blackmailer in a recent interview.
But speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Gara Gombe described Dalung’s statements as “reckless” and lacking morality.
Gara urged “all Nigerians to reject individuals like Dalung who put their own interests above those of the country.”
He highlighted Dalung’s tenure as minister, during which Nigerian athletes faced challenges, including being sent to the Rio Olympics without proper sports kits and uniforms.
“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,” Gombe said.
“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”
Gombe challenged the former minister to account for issues surrounding his tenure in office.
He called on 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) to investigate Dalung as these allegations are weighty and should not be swept under the carpet.
Gara alleged that one Yomi Idowu based in United States loaned $300,000 to Dream Team during the 2016 Rio Olympics campaign which the minister collected- up till today Idowu has not been repay even after Dalung collected the money from federal government.
“Nigerians deserve to know what happened.
“When he became minister, he was staying at Gombe Jewel Hotel. Few months later he bought a house in Gwarinpa. Gara alleged that some sports stakeholders bought and furnished the house for him. He also alleged that the NFF gave him N20m to bury his wife.”
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 promised to hand over the Lagos National Stadium to Ambode for renovation, but what happened?” Gara asked.
He further alleged that Dalung claimed a forged letter from the Presidency prevented the project from proceeding, challenging the former minister to produce the document and identify its author.
“He should bring out the letter and find out who wrote it,” Gara said.
Gara admonished government agencies to properly scrutinise allegations involving public officials.
“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.
Gara argued that political affiliation is not a criteria for protection from scrutiny over actions taken while holding public office.
He stated that his decision to seek probe into Dalung’s tenure as minister was based on public interest and not personal.