Ex-FA Boss Accuses Former Ministers Of Lagos Stadium ‘Rot’ As Dalung Fires Back

By Salifu Usman, Abuja And Abiodun Sivowaku, Lagos

A fresh war of words has erupted over the long-declining state of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, with former Gombe State FA chairman, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, levelling grave allegations of mismanagement against former sports ministers, Solomon Dalung and Sunday Dare.

In a strongly worded interview, Gombe blamed both men for what he described as the “total decay” of one of Nigeria’s most iconic sporting facilities, calling for a comprehensive investigation into concession deals and funds earmarked for renovation.

“Honestly speaking… we have to hold two former sports ministers, Solomon Dalung and Sunday Dare, responsible for its present state. That is the truth,” he said.

Gombe alleged that during Dalung’s tenure, key parts of the stadium were concessioned under questionable circumstances. According to him, the swimming pool, Games Village, an indoor sports hall and even the main gate were handed over to private interests, including a firm identified as O’jez. He further claimed that there were allegations the company paid N200 million under unclear terms.

“Money has changed hands… for what reason, we don’t know,” he asserted, questioning whether due process was followed or if the arrangements were ever publicly advertised. He also queried the role of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission in overseeing such deals.

He added that concerns over revenue transparency were ignored. “Where is the money going? There was no transparency,” he said, further alleging that significant federal land within the stadium complex was deliberately concealed from scrutiny.

Turning to Dare’s tenure, Gombe dismissed renovation efforts as a “media gimmick”, despite financial support reportedly donated by businessman Chief Kessington Adebutu, popularly known as Baba Ijebu. He criticised the eviction of long-standing traders and questioned the absence of clear project documentation.

“Till today there is no transparency… who was the contractor, how much was received… how much was spent?” he asked, insisting that structural defects, particularly in the spectator stands, were ignored in favour of superficial works.

Gombe extended his criticism to the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, alleging that funds — including a reported $1 million donation — were mismanaged, leading to a downgrade of the facility by continental football authorities.

However, Dalung has firmly rejected the accusations, describing them as fabrications aimed at attracting public attention. “He fabricated stories just to get public attention… that is what I know him to be doing,” Dalung said.

Dalung dismissed Gombe as a serial blackmailer seeking attention. He recounted Gombe’s past petitions against the Nigeria Football Federation President, which he investigated fairly, and his appointments as technical assistant and committee member despite prior attacks.

The former minister insisted that no concessions were finalised under his watch, challenging Gombe to produce evidence. He explained that concession processes were inherited and handled by the appropriate regulatory bodies, and denied knowledge of any N200 million transaction.

On the swimming pool project, Dalung maintained it was completed and operational before he left office, while revenue collection at the stadium gate, he said, was restructured through due process to improve remittances under the Treasury Single Account system.

He also took a swipe at Gombe’s credibility, recounting past disagreements and alleging a pattern of “blackmail”.

Efforts to obtain a response from Sunday Dare were unsuccessful as of press time as he did not respond to text message sent to him via Whatsapp.

Gombe’s allegations spotlight chronic accountability gaps in Nigeria’s sports infrastructure, urging probes to salvage facilities vital for football and national pride.