Buhari drops Dalung from list of ministerial nominees

Former minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung’s failed to make the list of ministerial nominees forwarded to the senate for screening by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.

43 names comprising former ministers, Raji Fashola, Chris Ngige and Rotimi Ameachi were read out at today’s plenary session by the senate president, Ahmed Lawan.

There were indications that Dalung who hails from Plateau State would return to the saddle after he was part of the Federal Government 11-man delegation that traveled to Egypt to drum support for the Super Eagles.  Former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Pauline Tallen replaced on the list.

However, the 54-year-old would be remembered for his not too cordial relationship with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and for his role during the elections into the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation.

Another issue which also affected his rating was the ‘missing IAAF $130,000.

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Although there have been no clear cut parameters on how nominees are assigned portfolios, usually from past governments, the office of the Sports Minister has always been assigned to those from the North Central region.