Gombe Challenges Dalung To Debate, Demands Probe Of Ex-Minister’s Tenure

Former Gombe State Football Association chairman and sports promoter, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has challenged former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barr Solomon Dalung, to a debate over allegations surrounding his tenure, while calling for investigations by Nigeria’s anti-corruption and security agencies.

Gombe spoke after Dalung described him as a “serial blackmailer” seeking attention, while recalling petitions Gombe had previously filed against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President and his subsequent appointments despite the criticism.

Gombe said he had ignored Dalung’s political comments until an interview he granted on developments in Nigerian sports prompted the former minister to disparage him in an Abuja-based newspaper.

“I have known Solomon Dalung for many years, and I believe his conduct since leaving office has been troubling,” Gombe said, saying the former minister’s conduct had raised “concerns”.

He dismissed Dalung’s description of him as a blackmailer as an opinion, but argued that the former minister should instead answer questions about his period in office.

Gombe 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 what he described as allegations linked to Dalung’s tenure.

He questioned the circumstances surrounding the concession of some public assets, including facilities at the National Stadium in Lagos, during Dalung’s tenure, as well as other financial and administrative decisions.

Gombe further accused Dalung of failing to explain what happened to a proposed handover of the Lagos National Stadium 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?” Gombe asked, alleging that Dalung had claimed a forged letter from the Presidency stopped the project.

“He should bring out the letter and find out who wrote it,” he added.

Gombe criticised the government and security agencies for allowing individuals to make allegations without adequate scrutiny.

He said political affiliation should not shield anyone from accountability for actions taken while holding public office.

“I am prepared to challenge him to a debate on these issues,” Gombe said, insisting that he was ready to present what he described as the facts available to him.

The former FA chairman said the issues he raised were matters of public interest and should be subjected to investigation rather than traded through media exchanges.