Dalung described a cabal as “a group of ambitious people appointed by the president to help him govern, but who end up running the presidency for their own interests.” He claimed that shortly after Buhari’s 2015 electoral victory, a powerful group emerged unexpectedly, sidelining loyal supporters who had worked tirelessly for the president’s campaign.

Recounting his personal experience, Dalung narrated how his access to Buhari was obstructed on the very day the president was declared winner: “That evening, I went to see him in his office. But when I tried to enter his house, I was blocked. This was the same place I had been the night before until 2 a.m. It wasn’t until I made several calls that I was allowed in. From that day, the cabal had taken over.”

Dalung explained that many of Buhari’s genuine supporters, unaware of the mechanics of power, began celebrating the victory, leaving the president vulnerable. “These people, who understood power, moved in and took control. They ran the government in their own interest until the eight years were gone.”

Dalung’s revelations highlight the enduring problem of behind-the-scenes power struggles in Nigerian governance. The influence of cabals often undermines democratic principles, placing decisions in the hands of unelected individuals with personal agendas. The former minister’s insights add to the ongoing discourse about the inner workings of Nigerian politics and the need for transparency and accountability in governance.