By Uzor Odigbo
Sports entrepreneur Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has hit back at former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barr Solomon Dalung, challenging him to explain decisions taken during his tenure .
Gombe’s response followed Dalung’s description of him as a “serial blackmailer” seeking attention, while recalling petitions Gombe had previously submitted against Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President and his subsequent appointments to positions within the sports administration despite those criticisms.
The founder and Chairman Board of Trustee of Athletics and Other Sports Commission, said he had initially refrained from responding to Dalung’s recent political statements, but decided to speak out after the former minister allegedly attacked him following an interview he granted on developments in Nigerian sports.
“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.
Rather than dwell on Dalung’s description of him as a blackmailer, 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 what he described as allegations requiring clarification.
One of the issues raised by Gombe concerns an alleged $300,000 loan reportedly obtained to assist Nigeria’s football team during the 2016 Rio Olympics campaign.
According to him, the Federal Government reportedly refunded the money, but questions remain over whether the original lender was repaid.
“Nigerians deserve to know what happened,” he said.
Gombe also demanded an explanation over 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?” Gombe 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,” Gombe said.
The sports promoter also criticised government agencies for, in his view, failing 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.
Gombe argued that political affiliation should not shield anyone from scrutiny over actions taken while holding public office.